I’ve just discovered these deliciously creepy Frozen Charlotte dolls and have been doing a bit of research on their history.

They were first made in the 1850s in Germany and marketed as children’s toys. Some of them were sold in little coffins with shrouds.

They were sometimes baked in cakes and puddings.

After they became popular, they were associated with a poem about a young woman named Charlotte who froze to death when she refused to wear a cloak on a sleigh ride with her sweetheart.

“A Corpse Going to a Ball”

“O, daughter dear,” her mother cried,
“This blanket ‘round you fold;
It is a dreadful night tonight,
You’ll catch your death of cold.”
“O, nay! O, nay!” Young Charlotte cried,
And she laughed like a gypsy queen;
“To ride in blankets muffled up,
I never would be seen.”

~Seba Smith 1840.

The poem inspired the folk song “Fair Charlotte”..

“He took her hand in his - O, God!
‘Twas cold and hard as stone;
He tore the mantle from her face,
Cold stars upon it shone.
Then quickly to the glowing hall,
Her lifeless form he bore;
Fair Charlotte’s eyes were closed in death,
Her voice was heard no more.

xZAM

In an effort to stay on top of rising costs and to make my business more  sustainable, I've started reassessing some of my pricing. 

Some of the prices will be going up in the next few days to allow me to continue to do what I love.

If you have your eye on anything, get your order in quick to take advantage of the current introductory pricing.

xZAM

Phew! What a massive year!

I'm putting down my tools until after New Years.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me over the last year by buying my jewellery or just generally being lovely and encouraging.

It's been a hard year at times but also really rewarding. It is so nice to get great feedback from people who love my work and getting to see it being worn and appreciated.

My web-store is remaining open but I wont be processing orders until the first week of January. Some orders may take until after the 15th of January to be sent out.

Thank you all for your support,

xZAM

I feel honored to have been asked to make this set of custom engagement rings.

They are made in sterling silver and feature different textures on the outside and smooth comfort fit insides.

I would love to make more custom work. If you need wedding bands or have any other ideas, get in touch :)

xZAM

I spent Thursday afternoon setting up my little witchy cube in the window of incube8r.

For the next three months (at least) you can buy my jewels out of their cube on Smith Street in Fitzroy.

There's a few thing in there that havn't made it onto the shop yet so head on down and have a look..

xZAM

I'm really proud that these three rings have been accepted for the 2017 Contemporary Wearables Biennial Jewellery Exhibition.

If you want to check it out, head to the Toowoomba Regional Gallery from the 16th of September to 5th of November.

I'm going to be making some more of my steel flowers soon as well! Watch this space..

I got my first ever forge in the mail today all the way from Lithuania! It's a micro forge for knife making. It's tiny and very cute and perfect for making my steel jewellery.

I had plans to make my own — after all, you can find most things on YouTube! After some frustration (and some pretty funny conversations with men working in gas accessories stores) I decided that it would be easier (and safer) just to buy one.

I got it out of the box and put it next to my miniature anvil and felt like a giant — a very happy giant!!

A few people have asked me when my steel spike hoops will be available... and  the answer is SOON!!

xZAM

I have a horde of beautiful gemstones in my studio (from years of being a gem-obsessed pack-rat) that I'm planning on making into big one-off pieces.

I'll be adding them to my new collection "One-offs, Experiments & Happy Accidents" as they come off my bench.

Most of them are Moonstone and Labradorite as well as some big uncut gemstones.

The first piece I'm adding is the "Illumination of Birds" necklace that I have been working on this week.

xZAM