Shooting Stars Necklace, from inspiration to the big day

We had some lovely news at Ivaldi Towers a few months ago.  My biggest nephew and his long term partner  were finally tying the knot.  So, obviously an enormous hat has in order, as was a stunning piece of jewellery.

Hat and dress were easily arranged, but as a bespoke jeweller I wanted to create something stunning, I do have a reputation to maintain after all.  My current collection is all about stars so the main focus was an easy choice but where to go from here.  An evening on Pinterest and I had an inspiration board http://pinterest.com/ivaldi/shooting-star-necklace-inspiration/ and a quick trip to my favourite beads hop and I had some yummy new beads to play with.

Many sketches later I had a design I was happy with and I started making stars.  The Lovely Caroline from the Outhouse Studio has loaned me a beautiful antique kiln, and I just love the results it gave.

I then spent about 3 days placing beads, polishing stars and generally faffing about until I get things where and how I wanted.

Here it is about half way through.

So, Saturday morning dawned and we were off into the wilds of Suffolk and here it is in it's finished glory.

Rosemarie of the Lighthouse Network has been helping me focus and reach my goals, and she has been hugely encouraging all through this project, thank you sweetie x  

So the final outcome of this is that the necklace is now up on Folksy, the original you see here but also as a bespoke, whatever stones, colours you want.

I've really enjoyed this project.  It's brought my Stars collection to a conclusion and I've learned a lot doing it.  So what next, what will be my next collection.  Stay tuned and I'll let you know.... as soon as I know myself x

Victorian Cameo Pendants

 I have created a series of beautiful portrait cameos using fashion plates from the University of Washington's archives (you can see these images here) They are taken from fashion journals from the 19th and 20th Century and are a great record of the way we would have been dressing (or aspiring to dress) 150 or so years ago.

 They show closeups of the sketches, mounted and varnished to create a long lasting piece of jewellery.

One of the original images I have used for my cameos.

I'm thinking about doing some boys next.  What do you think?

I can also make these images from your own pictures. I will be blogging about that really soon.  I'm in the process of making a necklace for a lovely friend that I can't wait to share with you all.

Finger Print Pendants

Finger Print Pendants & Charms

If you live near Norwich, Norfolk UK you can get your very own fingerprint charm. These are a unique way to capture a moment of your children's or loved ones life. This easy process can be done on a kitchen table, with all the specialist equipment either very portable or ready to use back at our studio workshop.

Why not get some friends together for a finger print party.

This is the pendant that I wear next to my heart every day. The smaller print is my son's (1 yr old), the larger my 5 yr old daughter's.

I chose an abstract shape directed by the placement of the prints, you can also chose heart, circle and rectangle shape pendants.

These are one off, can't be reproduced items. Prices from £25. Please contact us to book a party (we will come to you within 20 miles of Norwich) or to arrange a visit to us.

Get the look - Gok Wan's Mad Men catwalk look

Last week on Gok's Fashion Roadshow, Gok styled up a fantastic 1950's MadMen inspired look.  This was topped off with a beautiful pearl necklace from Susan Caplan Vintage Collection 

You too can get the look, from me!!!!

This fantastic, one off vintage faux pearl necklace is just the thing for your glam, 50's look.

Click on the pic to buy this unique piece, with matching earrings for £35