Dreaming in black & white

This is strictly black and cream but would work just as well in white.

It was commissioned to match a specific dress and I think the cream looks softer than white. The silk underneath the lace really lifts the pattern. I use masses of fabric for the gathers which makes the bags spacious and sumptuous.

I ruffled the handles a little and added a silk bow.

For the hair here is a vintage, bohemian floral look. This is great for jazzing up a simple dress. I used cream dupion silk for the roses and natural freshwater pearls to pick up the light.

Apologies for not updating the shop. All available items will be up shortly. All of my products are limited edition or one offs so you need to be quick! I make many things to order too so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Peacock feather digital printed silk handbag

Peacock feathers hold a magic for me. They conjure up images of exotic gardens and maharajas. They are timeless and never go out of fashion. Thankfully they will also go with a huge array of colours.

I’ve had this beautiful silk for a while now and wanted to save it up for something special. I could only afford a couple of yards which make it all the more precious to me. I came up with a gathered bag with navy leather handles.

I have teamed it with this amazing white lace dress from Coast.

At £145 it is lucky that I found it in the sale!

I know white is the most impractical colour but I think when I wear this it will be for a very special occasion!

With Royal Ascot on the brain and all the fabulous Jubilee celebrations I have been observing many hats, bags and shoes of late. There is no doubt that feathers look fantastic on the head although I am in favour of the ‘less is more’ mentality here. Birds nest fascinators are really not great are they? Sorry Kate!

I once attended a mid-winter wedding where the lucky couple got snowflakes as we came out of the church. One of the guests was an immaculate lady in her 50’s wearing a peacock feather spray that covered her crown but didn’t look ostentatious. She had a blue and gold brocade cape and I have never forgotten how glamorous understated and graceful she looked.

This hat was designed by Jane Taylor for Ascot last year.

Looking around at other dresses I also found inspiration from this Matthew Williamson silk creation.

Or perhaps this gorgeous 1980’s vintage Liberty print dress for just £45 from circavintage.co.uk

And for your walls, this bold print from Danish company Ferm Living certainly makes a feathery impression.

Heartland Devon Handmade fair

We got back from holiday at the weekend having had an amazing time in Dartmouth, Devon. Over the bank holiday weekend I was lucky enough to display my products at the Heartland handmade craft fair at Knightshayes Court. It was a busy weekend! Although I couldn’t be there at my stall I understand that everyone did well.

Here are a few images of my stock which I am in the process of listing on Folksy right now.

Jubilee hair band bows for a bit of fun in June! The blue ones have cute crowns for your little ones to play Queen. 

I have just been asked to make a hat for the Royal enclosure at Ascot this year. These feather bands may not be up to size as hats must be a minimum of 10cm (4″) diameter, but they will make great accessories for weddings, christenings, proms etc.

These are just beautiful freshwater pearl necklaces. Inspired by The Great Gatsby. 

The necklace is 60″ so can be wrapped around the neck a few times. The rosey brooches can attach to make a unique look. They come in a number of colours and sizes.

I made a limited number of these rose necklaces in green, yellow & red. They are a modern take on a classic style and make quite a statement. I can make them to order if you require a specific colour or fabric.

The posey brooches double up as hair clips and come in small, medium & large.

I have just a few flouncy bags available at the moment. I used fabric 3 times the width of the bag for the gathers so they are very roomy. They come with a small rose brooch too!

Keep an eye out for a post later this week for my Spring giveaway!

 

Bad hair days

I think we all have the odd bad hair day from time to time. For the last few months my grooming regime has become limited to say the least. I was having one of my usual ‘casual’ days on Thursday when I decided enough was enough. Looking in the mirror at my ripped jeans, baggy sweater and tousled hair I tried to remember the last time I styled myself in the morning. Truth be told it had been way too long.

At the vintage fair I saw a copy of this 1943 Elizabeth Arden Christmas advert.

The wording goes…

“Beauty is Eternal. It shines like a light through the ages…it survives every trial…it gives men courage and women hope. This then, of all years, is the year to give a gift of beauty to a woman you love…for there is gallantry in the blaze of a lipstick…ardour on the whiff of a perfume… solace in things to make her lovelier.”

Is there really gallantry is the blaze of a lipstick? Is that why I never get a seat on the bus? I was lucky enough to be given a wonderful complete set of Elizabeth Arden make up last Christmas. The rouge is still waiting to be used and perhaps inspire a little courage and hope… The perfect gold compacts are so luxurious I’m almost afraid of getting fingermarks on them! Anyway, after half an hour of playing with the eyeshadow pallete and blushers we were getting there. I decided to also make a hairband to brighten up my face. Needless to say I ended up making three as I couldn’t decide which colour silk to match the liberty fabric bands.

I think the gold number is the one for me but I’m looking forward to wearing the turquoise roses with a yellow dress in the Summer.

 I had a mini model for the bronze roses!

 

There is something to be said for making an effort and styling up in the morning. Even if I am having a day at home, I will be brushing my hair and putting on a slick of mascara just for my own sense of worthiness. Rolling up at the supermarket in pyjamas surely isn’t good for the soul, even if it is comfortable. I think we all need to wear something a little bit special everyday, be it a flower hairband or some red lipstick. It only took me half an hour to feel more in control and it was a welcome distraction from the mundane everyday chores!

Vintage rose hairband

I also had time yesterday to make a bridal headband with a vintage rose spray from a couture wedding dress having seen better days. I bought the dress in a secondhand shop as the amount of silk and Chantilly lace was too good to resist. At a uk size six it isn’t one I will ever fit in to…

The dress was an original made to measure 1996 Sassi Holford Nadia creation.

 I liked the flowers in the model’s hair and used that as my inspiration. It was satisfying giving a new life to this gorgeous handmade floral attachment. It originally sat at the back of the corset. If only I could make silk flowers like this!

I attached the rose spray onto an alice band for a fresh new look.

 

 

A postman calls

I was very excited to receive the latest order of silk in the post this morning. Taking inspiration from the catwalk and sticking to pastels and bridal fabrics for the gathered bags this spring / summer. Of course I couldn’t help but add in a splash of vibrant red and gold too!

Spring 2012 silks