www.elenabrennan.com

“The 60th Annual Fleadh Cheoil na hEirea

Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2010.

nn returns to Cavan, for the first time since 1954.
To mark this occasion, I have created a range of jewellery celebrating Irish music & dance.
Harps, flutes, dancers, all gather together to express the joy of Irish music. The flip side of the pieces show the rolling drumlins and swirling waters  for which Cavan is so famous.
Each piece is made from sterling silver in my workshop in Lisreagh, Cavan.”

“Let the music & fun begin!”

Last month I created some simple jewellery and head piece, to match a very elegant outfit for a mother of a bridegroom.   She was wearing lilac with silver coloured accessories, so I used large amethyst uncut stones with fresh water pearls and crystals, all joined together with sterling silver wire.  I made screw on earrings for her, as she hadn’t pierced ears.  She was so delighted as it was the first time in forty years that she had worn earrings,( clip ons are too sore ).

A happy woman who held her head high and had a wonderful day.

Olive with headpiece + matching jewellery, July 2010

Olive , Trish and Ian, 17 July 2010.

I put together this little pendant to celebrate the christening of a very precious new baby named Siofra, meaning little fairy in Irish.

Suspended from a little set of sterling silver angel wings are; an aquamarine with Austrian aurora crystal, a tiny silver angel feather complete with tiny 3mm freshwater pearls + Austrian aurora crystals and a little silver angel halo with a beautiful Austrian aurora crystal inside.  All gently cascading from a 16″ delicate sterling silver chain.

Siofra's pendant.

Close up of christening pendant.

Close up of tiara detail.

Cliona under the eucalyptus tree.

I’ve just finished a very special Children of Lir tiara for a very special and very talented young opera singer called Cliona Cassidy.  I met her at the R.D.S. Christmas Craft fair where she fell in love with my Children of Lir jewellery and wondered would it be possible to create a tiara from the pendant pieces.

To make the piece a little more “wedding y”, I made a long six part weave of fine silver wire and fresh water pearls, that is just loosely wrapped around the full length of the tiara, completely removable after the wedding.  Also, the piece has chains and a clasp attached so that it can be worn as a neck piece.

Cliona with tiara.

Cliona and tiara + matching earrings + pendant.

Cliona assures me that she will get great use out of it for performances and recitals. This special Lady is getting married in Italy on June 12th, so I wish her a brilliant day and the three Ls, Love, Luck, and Loads of kids!

I was showing some of my jewellery at a local fashion show recently so I decided to try something a little different! and arty!  I could be onto something here!

A little something!

Enamelled gold colour mitten + fresh water black + white pearls.

Blue + white enamelled copper wire and fresh water pearls earrings

I had a great time at the R.D.S. in Dublin in December with my wonderful sister Attracta.  I met up with a lovely bride to be, who asked about Tiaras.  So here are some photos of my first go at a Tiara!  My almost nine year old daughter Donna is my model. It’s still in wax, as it’s a work in progress!

Side photo of Wax Tiara

Front of Wax Tiara.

Donna wearing Wax Tiara

Small Boat with choice of oars.

Tiny Broighter Boat.

Over the last few months, I’ve been working closely with the Museum in Kildare street, to come up with a range of jewellery based on the  Broighter Boat.  We’re hoping that, all going well, it’ll be on sale for the first of December.  I’ve also created a limited edition of tiny replica boats which will also be available then.                                                                                                    Large Broighter

Boat pendant with 9 oars.

Broighter Boat ring.

This Sunday the 15th of November, I’ll be at the Christmas Craft Fair in the Hotel Kilmore in Cavan from 11am till 6pm. On the 22nd of November, I’ll be at a Craft Fair in Moynalty, Co Meath, where the famous Steam Thrashing Festival is held, from 10am till 6pm.

Finally, I’ll be in the R.D.S. Dublin from the 2nd to the 6th of December, stand no 54, for the biggest Christmas Craft Fair of them all! Just about every craft business in Ireland will be at it! So be there or be square!!
Wednesday the 2nd is 10% off everything day.
Opening times are;
Wed 2nd 10am – 10pm
Thurs 3rd 10am – 10pm
Fri 4th 10am – 7pm
Sat 5th 10am – 7pm

I’ve recently finished (Monday 26 Oct) a very special wedding ring for a very special Meath lady named Els. She chose to have forget-me-nots, which symbolise true love, carved onto her 8.5mm wide 22 gram platinum wedding band. Other choices we toyed with were Ivy, for fidelity, love + marriage and Honeysuckle, associated with bonds of love and devotion. Els and Sean got married today so I hope they had a lovely day and wish them many years of happiness together.