Wednesday 29 February 2012

Real Brides: Lynne



Hallo everyone!

I'm really delighted to bring you another post in my series of interviews featuring some of the beautiful brides for whom I have made jewellery and accessories.

Lynne commissioned a tiara, hairpins and a necklace and earrings set for herself, and co-ordinating necklace and earring sets for her bridesmaids.



At what stage in the whole wedding planning process did you start thinking about your jewellery and accessories?

As soon as I had my dress ordered I started thinking about jewellery and accessories and having a look online to see what was available.


How did you hear about Gioia Mia?

I heard about Gioia Mia through The Scottish Wedding Directory website using their search page.







How did you decide what jewellery and accessories to wear?
I wanted to keep my jewellery simple as I wanted my dress to be the focal point with the orchids on it but also wanted some sparkle to catch the light, especially for my tiara and hair pins. I also wanted by bridesmaid's jewellery to be the same as mine, but to match the colour of the dresses they were wearing.


I met up with Lynne in her lunch hour one day and we had a good chat about her beautiful dress and about the ideas she already had for her pieces. She wanted a high tiara with an organic feel to it. So I designed a piece with lots of little leaves and branches made from small, white Swarovski pearls and clear crystals to catch the light as she moved. Her necklace and earrings were simple Swarovski pearl drops, perfect for the understated elegance she was after. We matched the colour of her bridesmaid's jewellery to the sample of fabric she had brought along.






What did you enjoy most about having your jewellery and accessories designed and made for you?

I knew I was getting what I wanted both in style and colour match for my bridesmaid's dresses, and also I knew that I was getting a one off tiara that I adore! All my jewellery tied in beautifully with the day and what my bridesmaids and myself was wearing. It was so exciting picking my jewellery up and seeing it for the first time.



Is there any advice about jewellery and accessories that you would give a bride to be?

Have a good look around before picking something, there are so many websites with such a large selection to choose from it can be quite a daunting task and if you have an idea and you don't see it anywhere or you want something special then you always have the option of getting it made especially for you.






If you would like to arrange an appointment to have a chat about your own designs and ideas please do drop me a line! You can email me here. Appointments can be arranged for afternoons and evenings, weekdays or weekends. I work from a light and airy studio space in Miller Street, in the centre of Glasgow.




Credits

I am really grateful to Suzanne Hodgson of Natural Weddings
for allowing me to use her images of Lynne and her bridesmaids on my blog

Lynne's elegant hairstyle and makeup were by Ruth Chalk of Beautiful You





Friday 24 February 2012

Gioia Mia featured in 'The Scottish Wedding Directory'


Hallo everyone!


I'm really delighted to have some of my jewellery and accessories included in the current edition of The Scottish Wedding Directory. I really love these images...I hope you do too.






Arco headband in Swarovski crystal and pearl
Earrings in sterling silver, Swarovski crystal and pearl


Both of these elegant pieces can be made in any of the many different colours and shades of Swarovski pearls and crystals available.






Venus headband in Swarovski rhinestone and pearl


This such a beautiful headband, and absolutely perfect for those brides who are looking for a little understated glamour.






Duo necklace and earrings in sterling silver, Swarovski crystal and pearl


This beautiful necklace and earring set has been hugely popular with both brides and bridesmaids alike. They are pretty and delicate pieces which add a touch of elegance to any dress, and can be made to order in any of the different colours of pearls and crystals made by Swarovski - the perfect way to match up a bride or bridesmaid's jewellery with her dress.


I was very excited to see two of the images from an amazing photoshoot that I collaborated on recently in the Directory.

The shoot has also just been featured on the stylish Love My Dress blog (you can see the feature here).






Photograph by Zoe Campbell Photography
Sinamay and Swarovski crystal hat


This feature in the Directory on some of the most popular colours for this year was aimed at bridesmaids in particular, and suggested jewellery and accessories to pick out particular themes, such as the bracelet below:





Sterling silver, Swarovski crystal and glass bracelet




The second image from our shoot that was included by the Directory, was in a feature on bridal hair styles:






Photograph by Struve Photography

Arco tiara comb in Swarovski pearl and crystal
Duo necklace in sterling silver, Swarovski pearl and crystal



I'll be posting some more about this beautiful shoot in the near future, but in the meantime, you're most welcome to pop by and try these pieces on, or come and have a chat about your own ideas...just drop me a line!





Links














Wednesday 22 February 2012

New Gioia Mia blog button



Hallo everyone


Have you been featured on my blog? Would you like one of my lovely new blog buttons? Drop me a line and I'd be delighted to send you one!













Photobucket








Tuesday 21 February 2012

Gioia Mia featured on 'Love My Dress'

Hallo everyone

I'm unbelievably excited to let you know that an amazing shoot I collaborated on, and contributed to, has been featured on the wonderful 'Love My Dress' blog. You can see the post here.

I'll be posting some more of the images over the next few weeks, and a little more about all the different collaborators to the shoot. I hope you enjoy it!








Wednesday 1 February 2012

Gioia Mia loves Nuthatch

Hallo everyone

One of the many benefits of taking part in wedding fairs is the chance to meet some of the other suppliers. At the City Chambers Open Day in Edinburgh I was exhibiting next to Sue, of Nuthatch. In between chatting to the lovely brides, grooms, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride who had come to the Open Day, we had a natter about all things wedding - and I managed to sneak a taste of one of Sue's samples when she wasn't looking. I can wholeheartedly confirm that the tablet she makes is absolutely delicious!



'After working as a designer on many leading food brands
I decided to follow my passion for well designed packaging and cooking by creating my own Scottish tablet.






I started to do small boxes of tablet for weddings and events just last year
and am able to source unusual materials for the boxes and labels.





I have worked with some lovely people since starting up and really enjoy each unique project that I work on.






I believe anything handmade is something to be treasured, the boxes are lovingly thought out and put together
with the gorgeous tablet wrapped up inside and sealed with a heart or a personal message.'








Thank you so much for supplying your delicious tablet for my sister's wedding.
Everyone thought it was amazing and it got so many compliments.
I have to say it is the nicest I have ever tasted
and I am very glad I managed to track you down.
Any excuse and I will be back for more
and of course be happy to recommend you to anyone.
Best Wishes
Collette



'I now offer a locally packaged Scottish breakfast tea and quirky tea towels by Gillian Kyle
which really complement the tea and tablet. A little bit of Scotland all wrapped up in a gift box!'



You can buy Sue's delicious tablet, tea and gift boxes online here.




Nuthatch Online







Credits

Photography

I am really grateful to Alan Watson allowing me to use his work on my blog.

You can see his website here.