My guitar teacher once told me that he never composed any music when he was happy. When he was happy he’d be out there in the world enjoying himself. But when he was sad…that was a whole different experience.

Punk has been celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and there have been loads of brilliant events held in honour of this across the UK. One of the biggest was held in Blackpool from August 4 to 7.

It is commonly believed that Alchemy’s pewter jewellery and giftware is probably made in China in some large automated factory, however, we are very proud to boast that all of our pewter products have always been and always will be designed, developed and made from true English Pewter, under one roof in our own studios and workshops in Leicester, England.

Ancient Greece is most often associated with its intellectual achievements – in fields like philosophy, mathematics, and politics – leading many to regard it as the bedrock of Western civilisation. But a recent archaeological discovery has served as a grim reminder that the Ancient Greeks had a sinister side.

‘Where there is no imagination there is no horror.’ Arthur Conan Doyle

Finished cast resin models are sent down from the workshop to the mould room in the production department. It is here that the master mould maker employs his extensive experience to assess each piece and determine the most effective of his long-evolved techniques to develop each production mould.

I loved her. I loved her so much. I would have done anything for her. I would have given her the clothes I’m wearing and freeze to death, I would have given her my food and starve for her, my heart…I would have died for her.

I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream past the wit of man to say what dream it was. A ball, with masqued creatures swirling to a concoction of dark sounds, drunk with music and wine. Yes there was much wine and food for the soul – three courses bursting forth beneath candelabra on white linen which highlighted the sea of black and glittering attire that consumed.

When each Alchemy jewellery design has been finalised, the drawings and directions are sent from the studios into the model workshops for our highly trained and experienced sculptors and engineers to interpret and develop. Using mostly hand tools such as scalpels, needle files and dental instruments, their skills as artistic precision technicians are put to the task.

Standing on my own two feet but I had the feeling I was falling endlessly. Alone in darkness, cold, trembling yet I knew I wasn’t alone.