Today I had the unique experience of attending a dress fitting for four very gorgeous and excited young ladies, being a bride-to-be and her three bridesmaids, along with her mother and mother-in-law! I was dropping of a wedding commission, and we had arranged to meet at the studio of Laura of twentythree, a dress maker with a workshop at Cox & Baloney, Bristol. It’s … Read More Bristol Brides
Tucked away behind the pedestrianised Southgate Street in Gloucester is the stunning Blackfriars Priory, it dates from the early 13th century and is the finest surviving example of a Dominican Friary in Britain. Last Saturday it played host to the Vintage and Craft Fair organised by Hels Belles Vintage. I had a stall there, sharing a pitch with my local vintage shop Strangeness and Charm Vintage Boutique. Photograph by … Read More Hels Belles!
+ Day to day, Makes
I have been collecting up old pearl necklaces, initially thinking of using them for flapper style head bands or tiaras, but after playing with coiling one round on a sinamay base and adding a diamante brooch for a bit of sparkle I came up with this design; This particular one is available at my new stockist in Bristol, Cox & Baloney (more on them … Read More Pearly Queen
One of my contemporaries from my student days at Winchester School of Art, and best friend, is Nick Ozanne, maker of beautiful hand woven silk scarves, ties and woollen blankets, amongst other things. In 2009 Nick set up his own label called Leto & Ariadne, and he now spends many weeks each year travelling up and down the country exhibiting at Craft Shows & … Read More Manchester! A day trip to the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
This weekend me & my sister Victoria went on a little trip to Dorset to visit our cousins in Lyme Regis. It was a flying visit as one of the guys is about to venture off on a round-the-world trip for 6 months, so we drove down in the evening, caught up with family, and spent the night in our aunt’s house right on … Read More Childhood memories
I was away this weekend, working as a volunteer at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, something my dad, sister and I have helped at for years now, a bit of a family tradition. It involves 5.30am starts, and long days on your feet, dealing with the visitors, checking and issuing tickets, and being friendly, chirpy and helpful. It’s exhausting! But, before … Read More Being a perfectionist
I have recently been contacted by a bride-to-be to make bespoke fascinators for her and her 3 bridesmaids. She’d seen my work in Made in Stroud and loved the vintage style fascinators with net, like the one pictured above – perfect for Kathryn as it looks suitably bridal without having to wear a full on veil. The dress is a stunning vintage one, dating from 1929, … Read More Wedding Season Beckons
The last two weekends have been a hectic whirl, as we opened our studio at Stafford Mill as part of the SIT Textile Trail. There is a rich textile heritage in the Stroud Valleys, as it was once a world leader in the production of woven textiles. It is home to the Stroudwater Textile Trust, and Stroud International Textiles who organise the Textile Trail. … Read More Welcome to our Material World!
+ Day to day, Makes
With a week and a half to go, the sewing machines are whiring away here at Stafford Mill, in preparation for the Textile Trail Open Studios, taking place on the weekends of the 12 & 13th and 19th & 20th of May. The local Made In Stroud shop have already got a range of our products on display (and for sale!). They re-did the window … Read More There’s nothing like the pressure of a deadline…
One of my aims for this year was to find more shops and outlets to sell my work through. As a small scale maker it can be intimidating approaching new retailers, and it’s hard not to take each knock back personally. The best leads often come from word of mouth, through friends and family. A casual conversation can lead to an opening, an opportunity … Read More Bristol beckons!
One of my resolutions is to sort out a website for my work, so here we go! I hope to use this blog to showcase new products as they are made, and to link in with my facebook and etsy pages. 2012 should be a busy year, I am running an afternoon workshop in a couple of weeks on making slippers, mittens and wrist … Read More 2012 – a new year of prophesies and resolutions!
Cotswolds milliner designing bespoke hats, fascinators & hair accessories 