Photo booth Beauties Revisited

One of my all-time favourite themes for my designs is vintage photo booth photography. These tiny little photos let you have a glimpse of the past and the mood of the person posing for the picture, but in a way that is so much more interesting that today's selfies...don't you think? I have collected quite a few and every time I look at them I wonder about the person on the photo...some looking confident and fierce,some hopelessly shy or just giggly having fun with friends or a loved one. Now and then I seem to recognize a look or a smile that reminds me of a person I know today and I wonder what people will think of our photo's in 60 or 100 years from now and if they in turn will recognise themselves in a cheeky smile or a distracted glance. I have been using these old photos as a theme my for vintage restyled handbags and with success, as they have become a very popular item at Things British shop in London. 

I wondered if there was a way to take the theme to the next level and perhaps create a jewellery collection that could connect with the handbag collection. I wanted something light and fragile, something that could bring back that feel of the little piece of photo paper that captured that instant moment of happiness, sadness or shyness so many decades ago.
I think I might have found it.

I used vintage puzzle pieces and transformed them into vintage photo booth picture frames. I embellished them with embossing powders and then I tied them up in very fine metal wire decorated with beads, rhinestones and other small findings. The result is a unique piece, elegant and shimmering (a lot more than you see in the pictures) and almost ephemeral...so light it might vanish into thin air in front of your eyes. I am so pleased with the results and will include pendants, earrings and bracelets in this new collection. It will be possible to request custom made pieces with vintage pictures of your loves ones. To find when this collection will be available, please favourite my etsy shop.

New Display at Things British, Carnaby Street London

New Display at Things British, Carnaby Street London

I went to London yesterday to change my display at Things British and I am so happy with the result! I decided to go with the Jules Verne/ Travel theme of my Around the World in 80 Stamps Collection and used three vintage suitcases as a raised platform. I think it looks a lot more appealing than having the bags on the plain shelf. I wish I had thought of this idea before! 

A Quick snapshot

I was in London last night and decided to have a quick look through the window of Things British while I was near Carnaby Street. The shop was closed, but one of my handbags was on display in the window. It is funny when I think about my first school trip to London when I was 15 and how I thought London was old fashioned ( didn't like Madame Tussaud's ) and ruled by weird habits and customs ( having crisp sandwiches for lunch??). I remember walking on Carnaby street and it still was stuck in a time warp with funky shops and hidden basements stuffed with crazy shoes and vintage clothes. I remember buying bright blue glitter lipstick from on of the shops there.  Never would I have thought I 'd come back, I'd end up living in England and most of all, having my own creations for sale on that same street! Strange, isn't it?

Hi and Happy New Year! GIVEAWAY!

Hi and Happy New Year! GIVEAWAY!


Hello :) And happy New Year to you! I am skipping the resolutions, but I do have a belayed new year's present for you: the chance to win a free handmade necklace! It's one of my matryoshka necklaces and it's cute, bright and fun because I am sick of winter and depressing news, so we need something sunny and happy to keep us going. Come over to my facebook page and enter the competition!

Spring is here

I woke up this morning with lovely warm sunshine and bird singing outside my window. What a great way to start the first day of spring! I have been working on new jewellery pieces inspired by spring. Think cute bunnies, tulip beads and cute little birds and a few crazy colour combinations...here are a few pictures.

All that glitters...

My tiny christmas tree doesn't have one empty branch this year. Since it is an ugly black plastic thing I though it would be better to over-decorate it and hide the fact that it was one of those cheapy £5 trees. Being a jewellery designer, I have lots of glittery things lying around so this year some of my supplies ended up in the tree. Longs strings of rhinestone chain instead of garlands and cypress cones, which I use for making rings, rolled in glitter instead of balls. The rest is a mixture of vintage 80s ornaments given to me by my mum( from her first christmas tree) and kitschy deer and high heeled shoes.

And what's a glittery christmas without glittery jewellery for the party? These "Barbie lost her shoe" rings are just perfect for it!

Hello! Just wanted to share this exciting news: since yesterday my one of a kind restyled bags are for sale in London! I have created a mini collection for Things British, a lovely shop in the heart of London promoting handmade designs by British designers. I am so happy to be part of this and to have my handbags on display! Sofar I have sent in five bags, as I have rented just one shelf and more bags won't fit on there. I have taken a picture of them before sending them off as you can see below. If you are in London and you are looking for unique gifts by UK talent then please visit this lovely shop. The address: Kingly Court first floor, just off Carnaby Street (postcode:W1B 5PW)

PS: with this post I have revived this blog (once again).Please join to stay posted about my upcoming projects and giveaways. I have found an antique suitcase transformed into a 60s cocktail bar with electric light(sounds crazy, i know) that needs restoring. I will be posting about the project soon!