Alex Bell - fantasy author

This is Source – Jewellery’s Fairtrade Journey, a beautiful coffee table book compiled by Deborah Miarkowska of EcoChic and Jo Swannell-Owen. I was very pleased to be asked to contribute an article to this amazing book, and I’d like to encourage everyone to go out and buy it straight away. Informative, inspirational and beautifully put together – this book really taught me a lot about the jewellery industry, the terrible human rights and environmental problems that plague it, and the steps that are being taken by some remarkable people to improve the situation and make the jewellery-making process as beautiful as the end result.

I have to admit that before I got involved with Source, I was almost completely ignorant about the ethical issues surrounding jewellery. It wouldn’t have occurred to me that a small-scale miner would routinely risk dangerous working conditions, disease and death during the course of his day; that he would be improperly compensated for his efforts or robbed of a fair sale price by unscrupulous middle-men. I didn’t realise that there is a real problem with children being involved in the mines or that some of the chemicals used in the mining process are toxic and can cause brain damage. What a perverse injustice that miners who spend their days surrounded by gold should be desperately impoverished themselves as a result of industry corruption, and bad business practices, and unfair market conditions. Until recently, even if a consumer wanted to know where exactly their gold had come from, a jeweller would not have been able to tell them.

Thankfully, this is starting to change as a result of the Fairtrade Fairmined Gold Mark that was launched last year – the world’s first independent ethical certification for gold. The mark guarantees that the gold has been mined in an environmentally responsible manner and that the workers have been fairly paid. It guarantees an absence of child labour in the mines, protects the rights of women miners and ensures that the gold has not funded any violent conflict.

Source tells the story of the fairtrade mark and looks in greater depth at some of the main issues (the interview with the Columbian miner is particularly fascinating) – but it also celebrates the pioneers of ethical jewellery – the designers, makers and retailers who are taking a different approach to the industry – one that empowers artisanal miners and local communities to improve their own circumstances in a way that simply would not have been possible before.

What I really admire is that, for many of these ethical jewellers, they do not merely refrain from doing wrong; they actively involve themselves in nurturing positive change as well. Oria donates ten percent of the profit from their endangered species collection to the IUCN Red List, which works to protect these animals; Arabel Lebrusan supports The Water Project, an NGO that strives to address the water problem in Sierra Leone; SilverChilli reinvests a whopping 95% of their profits back into social projects that benefit the entire local communities in Mexico, such as buying computers for schools and planting a 220 tree forest.

So much work went into this book, so huge congratulations to Deborah and everyone else who was involved with it. It was truly a labour of love to celebrate truly beautiful jewellery and I think that shows in the end product.

You can buy the book here. You can also find out more about fairtrade gold here. The first picture is a piece from April Doubleday’s collection and the other three are by Arabel Lebrusan – two of the ethical jewellers who feature in the book.

I went to the Winchester Christmas markets last week and found these teacup candles:

Are they not perfection? This pic is of a mulled wine candle but the one I bought was eggnog and it smells amazing and looks soooo pretty when it’s lit. I adore vintage teacups anyway but sticking scented candles in them just makes them even better. I am now officially in love with Creme Nouveau (http://www.cremenouveau.com/)

In other news, my little interview on the Kevin Moore show was on over the weekend. I have vetted it and, since it isn’t too embarrassing and I managed not to say anything grievously inappropriate, I’m putting a YouTube link up here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaFtc7p5H3w Everyone at the studio was so nice and really made my first TV experience a really positive one so a big thank you to Kevin, Joanna and everyone else who chatted with me, slapped make-up all over my face (because of the lights and stuff - not because of some sudden dreadful skin-problem) and generally made me feel at ease before we began.

And, lastly, one further reminder that I’ll be in Southampton signing at the wonderful Waterstones in West Quay this Thursday (8^th December) from 5.30-7.30pm, along with several other fine authors. Apparently there’s going to be some sort of giant gingerbread house in West Quay that day, and I’ve been told that Waterstones will be putting on mince pies again this year, so do come along and say hello to us all and help us eat the pies!

I love Bewitched. I have mentioned my love for Sam before but it’s not just Sam I love – it’s all the cast, and especially Darrin. Dick York is my favourite, for obvious reasons – not only does he have the biggest pair of eyes I have ever seen on a man, but he has a widow’s peak as well. I mean, my God. I just want to . . . but never mind that, it’s not an appropriate topic for discussion on this blog. Some things should stay private.

I was watching an episode of Bewitched the other day (Eat at Mario’s) where Sam is trying to save this little Italian restaurant, and it made me think of Capers (http://www.caperspizza.co.uk/index.html). Capers is ten minutes away from where I live and it is my new favourite restaurant. The Bewitched episode reminded me of it because Mario’s seemed very similar with its exceptional food, and friendly service, and small, cosy, local feel. It’s so much nicer than going out to some big posh noisy swarming place in Southampton. Plus it’s not cold in Capers. It’s amazing how many pubs and restaurants get stingy with the heating in the winter, which just makes you disinclined to linger. The only thing Mario’s had which Capers lacks is the red and white checked tablecloths and candles in wine bottles. But I can forgive Capers that because they have pizza cutters in the shape of penny farthings on every table (to say nothing of the Jaffa drizzle cake).

And the best thing about Capers is the food. It is unbelievable. I would go there for the curried sweet potato cakes alone. Not only is the menu ridiculously huge but there are loads and loads of vegetarian options on it. The first time I went there I was so excited I almost couldn’t pick anything. I am unused to choice when eating out. Normally it’s the work of ten seconds to scan the menu and locate the vegetarian option. At Capers I am spoiled for choice and this is such a novelty to me that I literally spend all day thinking about what I’m going to have before I go. I obsess about it, if you will. To the extent that I’m going there in about half an hour and here I am writing a blog post about it because I can’t concentrate on anything else.

It just goes to show that a restaurant doesn’t have to be a vegetarian one to cater to vegetarians. Capers has plenty of meat and fish options as well as countless delicious vegetarian ones. I wish more restaurants would follow this example. Italian restaurants are usually pretty good but this one is exceptional. I went to an Italian in Southampton last week and counted just two vegetarian pizzas on the menu. Capers have seven. In addition, the Southampton restaurant had two veggie starters and Capers have – and I’m not kidding here – thirteen! That’s right – thirteen vegetarian starters. I know. I couldn’t believe it either.

I go out for dinner with my Dad quite a lot and, before, if he texted me from work and asked where I wanted to go I would reply that I didn’t mind. Now my text looks like this: CAPERS CAPERS CAPERS! If you live anywhere near Dibden Purlieu then I heartily recommend it.

I was complaining about summer on Twitter this morning. I am, at heart, a winter girl. Winter is my favourite season for a number of reasons. However, it occurred to me that complaining about summer wasn’t really the right attitude. There are lots of things I like about summer, so, in the interest of positive-thinking, I thought I would list a few of my favourites.

First up, it’s Pimms:

Is there anything better than sitting in the garden on a sunny day enjoying a nice tall glass of Pimms? It’s refreshing, it’s tasty, and it’s served in a glass chock-full of ice and fruit and sprigs of mint.

Invisible Stockings:

My new summer must-have are these invisible stockings from Tess Daly’s beauty range at Marks and Spencers. Not only are all the products in this range reasonably priced and beautifully packaged, but the invisible stockings are scented with jasmine and sweet vanilla. For someone like me who has naturally pale skin but no desire to sunbathe, this product is perfect. Not as heavy as a fake tan, it just adds a little bit of bronzed shimmer to legs whilst making them smell really good at the same time. A bronzer and a body butter all in one.

Tortoises:

My third reason for loving summer is that the tortoises come out of hibernation. You know summer has arrived when you see them stumping about in their pen, mashing up their food and getting it all over their faces. Pompey and Hannibal are both in their sixties – and very grand old men they are too.

Minx pedicure:

Clearly, there is no point paying out to have your toes look like this if they are hidden away in slipper-socks and boots the whole time. Summer, with its flip-flops and open sandals, is the perfect excuse to get a Minx pedicure. It would be a shame to ruin an outfit with plain feet, after all.

Bubbles with Moose:

Anyone who follows me on Twitter will know that I love my Great Dane very, very much. And during the summer we get to spend more time playing bubbles in the garden. They’re a little hard to see in this picture but the bubbles are there, and she is catching them. Bubbles is Moose’s favourite game – she never really got the hang of chasing balls, and will give me an evil look if I throw one of her toys across the lawn. The only downside to the bubble game is that, sometimes, after I’ve blown them for her, the wind changes and they come right back towards me. And Moose doesn’t really see me when she’s intent on the bubbles. You can get knocked right off your feet that way . . .

Summer Reads:

You know the books I mean. Something that’s fast paced and easy to read. Something to take on holiday with you. Something to read whilst drinking Pimms. These books are sheer, unadulterated pleasure that has nothing to do with anything. I usually read novels for a reason – like I’ve heard good things about the author and want to see what the fuss is about, or I’m trying a different genre, all the time with my own writing in mind. But, during the summer, it’s nice to treat yourself to a book you know you’re going to enjoy. There’s often an element of guilty pleasure in this as well. My top summer read indulgences would be anything by Victoria Holt, Madeleine Brent or Deanna Raybourn.

Travel treats:

You know when you go on holiday and decide to buy yourself some little thing that you don’t need but really, really want? This hydrating face spray by Evian was my holiday purchase this year. Yes, I know. It’s a little bit much. I acknowledge the foolishness. But it’s the perfect size to take on the plane with you and it has a pink lid and pink bubbles on the packaging and it did make me feel more refreshed after the long flight. And pure mineral water is much better for your skin than hard tap water. Go ahead and laugh at me - I don’t care - I will still love my dinky tube of face spray and I will still take it with me every time I travel.

And, finally, Starbucks frappucino:

A little piece of chilled blended heaven in a cup - ahhh! My favourite is the peppermint mocha frappucino. I could drink it all day.

So – there are some of my favourites. Now that I think about it, there is quite a lot I like about summer. So perhaps I will focus on the good stuff and try to make the most of it rather than wishing summer away.

It was my birthday last month. The big Two Five – eek, how did that happen? I’m still seventeen at heart.

Apart from loads of new books and a shiny new bookcase to put them in, I also received, from my brother, what is probably one of the most favourite gifts I have ever received in my life.

Meet Hamish:

Is he not both handsome and magnificent? I’ve always wanted a shrunken head ever since first going on the Jungle Cruise in Disney World. Why don’t they sell ‘em in the gift shop, I asked? Apparently not everyone is as fond of the shrunken dead things as I am. Go figure.

But now, after all these long years of waiting and wishing, good ol’ little bro comes through big style. It’s his birthday next month and his effort with Hamish has paid off because I have got him some seriously cool presents, which I am valiantly resisting keeping for myself.

Unsurprisingly, Suki has also taken a shine to Hamish. She likes weird things too. Here they are together: