Three Weeks Work

This is the latest Bespoke order for the beautiful Nina. She arrived at my home with 3 boxes full of jewellery she wanted to use, all of it glorious to this Magpies eye.

She was also getting married in 4 weeks & didn't have a dress yet!
I love a challenge

It was a joy to create something with such a personal touch. I put in two items, the rest was hers and totally unique to her; her family, and her story.

The glasses were my favourite....and the mother of pearl brooch. She had her initials, animals, her puffin book badge, a saxaphone (her groom plays), marine buttons, butterflies, horseshoe, key, a swallow, a St Christopher and countless of her grandmothers buttons...

...and this stunningwatch! It was Nina's grandmother, and the perfect finishing touch.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock....dont be late!!

All done in three weeks, a record for me! Even with a toddler wanting to help.

Doesn't she look gorgeous? And her thank you said it all...

..." Everybody was in love with it, I had to fight them off!!" 

What a joyous job I have

xxx

A Teddy Bears Bow Tie?

Dont you just love her?

What would you do with her?

I have waited for a while to see if the right bouquet came along which suited this 'Great Gatsby' style brooch...however no bride was lucky enough...so she is now in my little shop 

What would you create with her? Add her to your best hat? Create your own heirloom bouquet? A ribbon belt? A cute hair pin? A glamorous teddy bears bow tie?

13 of your english pounds people... an utter bargain!

Happy sunny weekend to you all!

xxx

Creativity

Creativity...is a hard word to define.

I have and will always be creative...I love to open a drawer full of goodies and work out what I can make.

However it seems my direction and focus had been firmly rooted in August's world.

From his room, his clothes, his toys, photos and parties.

I have had my head turned away from this world of weddings for a whole year...and to be honest it has been refreshing. 

This isnt bad, and im not going to tell you all I'm giving up VM...but I have realised a few things in the last wonderful year.

~ I create what I love in that moment

~Things I found beauty in a few years ago seem dull and boring now

~ My work is full on, time consuming, messy & solitary

~ Tiny hands love tiny bits of wire, beads, buttons!

~ I get bored easily

~ Vintage is an overused word which is used to describe everything, vintage or not!

When I started VM back in 2006, no one created these bouquets. Now you can take your pick, and your style is catered for by a whole host of different suppliers.

A lot changes in 7 years

I am very proud to be a leader in this business.

2013 will see me creating bouquets as & when I can I will not be taking bespoke orders.

When something moves me create a stunning bridal piece I will do it, and cherish every moment. Taking my time with my work has made me rediscover the joy...slow creativity is sometimes the best thing in this fast paced life we live.

Lovely Leonora

Leonora is my newest creation...she is a soft and gentle beauty. She has stunning French beaded daisies, intertwined with vintage crystal, jewellery, buttons and millinery flowers...off white...sparkling....

....Love Me, Love me Not....

She is a true Parisian charmer... sophisticated & a true classic.

She is now available in my shop

HERE

It feels good to be back, however it will be a slow start, I plan to gently get back into the swing of things this year...Life has taken such a different pace since having August....it can be such a whirlwind being a Mama!

xxx

Blonde Beauty

She shimmers and sparkles like a professional...she has subtle hues of champagne and gold...

pearls, and crystals adorn her...if she was a woman she would be a 1950's film star...

Maybe she would have been Marilyn's cup of tea? I like to think so

My wonderful bride had this to say...

"I just wanted to say a massive thank you for my beautiful creations.

I could not love her more! Absolutely gorgeous!

Every time I look at her I find something else I love about it!

They are even more beautiful in the flesh!"

 I think Marilyn would have been the same...even more gorgeous and delicate in the flesh.

Ohhh I love my stunning brides, their inspiration and creating these beauties for them!

Four Hundred

Can this really be my 400th post? Wowsers...how amazing!

10 buttonholes & One Bride

Awash with Sparkle

Frayed silk, and aged trinkets...faded pearls and glimmering crystals.

This mixture never gets old to me.

Muted colours...Ivory, white & Champagne

Add in a Bride who's wide smile, and sheer delight, made this Magpies month!

Happiness to me is still a bouquet of Sparkle.

Here's to another 400 posts!

xxx

Email issues

My email is having a few issues right now...I'm so sorry if you have been trying to get in touch.

Please feel free to contact me on here in the comment section or ring me on; 07876 344148  if you would like to discuss a bouquet.

I hope to get it sorted ASAP, but please bare with me as technology is not my strong point!! 

Wish me luck :)

x

Festive Special!!

Hello Lovelies! 

Well the tree is up, most of the pressies are brought, the Christmas music is ringing in my ears & the shop is awash with festive beauty. Therefore I am feeling in the Chrismassy Spirit.

To honor this happy holiday season I am offering an amazing...

 10% off my Gorgeous Amelia Bouquet.

She is a true Christmas Cracker....Simple, Stylish & a Classic Beauty!

She would twinkle away at a candlelit wedding whilst getting admiring glances from all your guests...

Or... She would happily be whisked away in your hand luggage for that stunning destination wedding that we all crave this time of year!!

Will she sit waiting under the tree for you this Christmas?

Miss Amelia would love to walk down the aisle with you & make your day truly Magical.

Merry Christmas

xxx 

Vintage Magpie Courses 2012

This year I have discovered a love of teaching. Passing on my knowledge has been an incredibly positive part of this new journey I have been on.

As I'm sure you are all aware, we will be having a little bundle of joy in March. This is something which I have been waiting for all my life; to be a Mum. I cannot wait for the challenges that wait for me. 

However, I also ADORE my creative life, and get a cold sweat when someone asks me whether I will give up work. Although my bespoke work might be reduced next year due to Pip, I want to be able to grow Vintage Magpie throughout this time, to create a fantastic business that will work around Pip, So I can fulfill my dreams of  being a creative working Mum. 

So this got me thinking whether to offer some lovely VM workshops...

I honestly do not know whether this something you; my gorgeous readers, would be interested in?

So this is me dipping my toe in the water...

...please feel free to let me know what you think!!

Firstly I would be looking to hold a 'DIY Bridal Course' where you will learn how to make a silk fabric Rose Bouquet. All the materials will be included, just bring along some of your treasured vintage items to work into the bouquet. This would be a Day course. The cost of this course would need to be confirmed, but around £200 with lunch & wine included.

This would be happening around May/June 2012. It would only be open for a small amount of people, So if you would be interested please either comment on this post or email me at;

 emma@vintagemagpie.co.uk

The second course will be 'The Vintage Magpie Masterclass' an intensive 2 day course designed for the professional, who either would like to set up their own business or add a string to their bow and offer an extra service to their existing business.

It would give you a complete over view into the process of making an Heirloom bouquet...from the first crystal wired to binding off the bouquet.

A kit will be included, all you need to bring is some lovely Vintage Sparklers, a note pad & your happy face!

I stress the word INTENSIVE for this course! It will be a challenge but well worth it.

Again the cost will need to be confirmed, but around £850 Lunch & wine included on both days, Plus endless tea & coffee!!

This would be happening around July/August 2012. It would only be open for a small amount of people, So if you would be interested please either comment on this post or email me at;

 emma@vintagemagpie.co.uk

I am open to your ideas & your thoughts.

Growing Vintage Magpie continues to be my dream, I cannot wait to share my world with you. My aim is pass on my knowledge in a fun and exciting way. To help others who want to lead a creative life.

Will you be a Vintage Magpie Master?

A Smile Worth a Thousand Words

This is one of my stunning Magpie brides from America, and boy isn't she just beautiful?

She has the sparkiest of sparkly shower bouquets, click HERE for a reminder.

When I opened up the email Michelle sent me and looked at her images I gasped....such gorgeous images...classic, timeless and that Smile!! The love is just blossoming from her smile.

She said this in her email;

"My guests were in awe over the bouquet!  The photographer was able to capture some great pictures of it.  And it went perfectly with my gown!!  The wedding truly exceeded all of our expectations and the bouquet was the icing on the cake."

Michelle sent me a locket, with her Dads photo inside...this is the reason I create these bouquets; the links we have to the past....creating something beautiful for the future...An Heirloom to pass down, a nod to the past...the shimmer of the even greater future...together.

I never fail to find the bliss in these bouquets

xxx

Vintage Wedding Fair

I cannot wait to be showcasing my work at Chettle House in October

The Vintage Wedding fair sounds like such fun. Filled with gorgeous vintage-ness!

If you would like to see my work in the flesh, I would really love to see you there!

Plus you have a really good excuse to look around this stunning house!

Wedding fever...

Its safe to say pale ivory, whites, and creams have been the theme of the year so far.

My favorites this year have all been gold toned bouquets...fact!

Its been crazy times and I have 2 more in progress. Then I start to chill out to a more manageable amount of work! I cannot wait ;)