EILY O'CONNELL - CREATING TREASURES OF WEARABLE ART

We're very excited to welcome Eily O'Connell to this year's wedding fair.  Eily creates treasures of wearable art that have a mysterious and other worldly presence.

If you're looking for a unique piece of jewellery to celebrate your love, Eily's work is perfect for you. Not only that, but our ecological impact is very important to Eily and she sources sustainable material wherever possible including recycled metals and fair-trade gems.  Even all her boxing and marketing materials are recycled.

All Eily's work is crafted sourcing the finest materials in her studio, where visitors are welcome by appointment, and she loves to make you commissioned pieces, whatever your budget.  All her prices reflect this very small-scale local production made from cradle to cradle by the hands of the designer maker.

Eily's starting point is foraging around the beaches, forests and other areas of natural interest to find materials that she can combine and cast into gold and silver to make beautifully detailed jewellery with gemstone and enamel accents. 

Growing up in the countryside of the fishing village of Killybegs on the North West coast of Ireland, sea themes are evident throughout her work. 

There are constant references to human manipulation of nature as Eily is concerned with our ecological impact and so tries to highlight important issues through pieces and collections. 

Eily's work ranges from very clean, simple lines thru incredibly intricate, delicate shapes to glorious statement pieces, but her passion for nature is reflected in every piece.

Eily loves every aspect of her work but she particularly loves crafting something bespoke in her unique style, just for you.  With an avid eye for the unusual and textured, Eily has created some extraordinary pieces for her bona fide clients, from designing engagement and wedding bands, reviving and re-melting heirlooms to simply casing a small silver pendant from an acorn found in a special garden!

 

No project is too big or too small and Eily loves the challenge of engaging your senses through a bespoke piece of jewellery which will be made to last with the finest materials, creating our very own heirloom piece.

Personal meetings can be made near her Bristol studio but get in touch if you live further afield as Eily travels a lot and may be able to meet up with you to discuss the evolution of your idea to concept.  Alternatively this process can easily be done via email.  Many of her special commissions have been made remotely for people around the globe whom she has never met! 

Take a look at Eily's portfolio page to give you a flavour of the wide range of her creativity and imagination.

Whether you want a totally unique modern piece or something recycled from a heritage piece of jewellery all Eily's pieces are made with great love and care for the environment.

W: http://www.eilyoconnell.com/cms/

E:  EILY@EILYOCONNELL.COM

Facebook

Instagram

DE WINTON PAPER CO - BEAUTIFUL HAND PAINTED STATIONERY

Earlier this year I met up with a fabulous lady called Harriet de Winton who had been recommended to me by my friend Kirsten (aka The Little Wedding Helper) to talk about rebranding my other business as a massage therapist, which I’ll be blogging about soon.

It was so great to sit and chat with Harriet  - I felt like I’d known her for years as she has such an easy manner, but she’s also really professional and totally ‘got’ my vision for the business.  To be honest with you, I was dreading the branding process.  I’m not good at getting across what’s in my mind and I really did wonder what on earth Harriet would make of my ramblings about how I wanted it to look.  This lady is so talented though, I knew I was in safe hands as soon as we started chatting and I am so incredibly pleased with the results I really want to tell the world about her.

An illustrator and designer, Harriet set up her design studio, The de Winton Paper Co specialising in elegant watercolour hand painted stationery for weddings and every day.  Her inspiration comes from a unique wedding gift to her parents which hangs in their family home - a guest used their wedding invitation as the canvas for a watercolour landscape.  Recognising what a beautiful and unusual idea this was Harriet began creating for family weddings and The de Winton Paper Co was born.

With a broad range of gorgeous styles pre-designed by Harriet, choosing your wedding invitation couldn't be easier but if you want something unique to you Harriet  offers a bespoke service and can transform your wedding invitation into a beautiful and original artwork. A talented calligrapher, Harriet's stunning lettering can elevate your stationery into something truly magical.  And, just for fun, she also offers on the day accessories such as 'Wedding Speech Bingo' and guest comment cards.

But her work isn't just for weddings - a hand painted card for any occasion or just a special message can be kept, framed and cherished forever.

Offering a service that will help you every step of the way, even with wording tips for your wedding and a printing and delivery service, you know you're in safe hands with The de Winton Paper Co.

And, of course, the amazing thing about stationery is that you can now order anywhere in the world - whether you're getting married in Borneo or Bristol!

As Harriet herself says ... "Based in Devon, going global".

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

LILYGRACE ORIGINALS - FAIRYTALE JEWELLERY FOR YOUR MAGICAL DAY

If you want a fabulous piece of distinctive jewellery for your wedding day, then look no further than Lilygrace Originals   

Founded in 2008, Lilygrace Originals is the creation of Hazel Mathiot, a maker and designer who studied painting for her Fine Art degree.  Hazel loves making things and over  the years has experimented with all sorts of materials and creations but eventually settled on jewellery.

And we're so glad she did!  Her beautiful designs have an incredibly distinctive style, mixing different media with various influences including the jewellery of Miriam Haskell and strong female icons such as Frida Kahlo and Elsa Schiaparelli.

Her pieces include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, cuffs and rings and are total flights of fancy inspired by Hazel's love of vintage and her magpie eye, some in beautiful pastel hues and others in bright jewel colours.

If you have a vintage picture, say of your grandmother, that you'd like Hazel to incorporate into your jewellery she's very happy to do so, and much of her work is hand-painted.

These flights of fancy are all perfect little works of art, made by hand and using Hazel's creative talents.

So if you want something special to dazzle and enchant on your special day come and visit Hazel's stand - you won't be able to resist.

TRICIA DESIGNS - BESPOKE BRIDAL HAIR ACCESSORIES

For original, unique and exquisitely detailed designer hair accessories, step forward Tricia Designs.  

Tricia Designs offers bespoke fascinators, hats and clips, all made to order. The 'Bridal Collection' is updated regularly with new pieces that range from 'catwalk glamour' to elegant sophistication, with sleek lines, high quality gems and floating silks.

Whether you’re the bride, mother of the bride, a bridesmaid, flower girl or wedding guest, Tricia Designs has exquisite and charming organza floral belts, hairbands, hairclips, headbands, shoe clips and matching bow ties available.

 
Tricia's latest collection of fascinator accessories are inspired by 150 years of 'Alice in Wonderland'. Think drama, quirky images, splashes of colour and asymmetric patterns. Some pieces of the 'Alice' collection will showcase on her Facebook page in February so do check it out.

Tricia also makes and designs Venetian masks. Add suspense and style to masquerade events and let your imagination be the limit! She has a wide range of traditional masks and can create bespoke silhouettes in quality textiles. Each mask is an artistic explosion of colour and designed to suit the wearer. They're comfortable to wear too. You can wear them with glasses and even have your glasses incorporated into a bespoke design!

           

At the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair, Tricia will have a selection of her Vintage Bridal Collection on display as well as a portfolio of designs to inspire you. You can try on her samples to give you an idea of shape and size and how these beautiful pieces work. She'll also be on hand to give you advice on colour, style and shape, so catch her while you can.

Excitingly, amongst all her PR, Tricia's recently been featured in Sainsbury's Bank magazine!  

(Thanks to Pete Cranston Photography for Image 1, Feather Swirl and Barclay Photography for Image 2)

HEARTFELT VINTAGE - ALL YOU COULD WANT UNDER ONE ROOF!

We're really excited to have the fabulous Heartfelt Vintage joining us for the first time at this year's fair.  If you haven't yet visited this luxury vintage boutique and tea room then make sure you instantly add it to your 'to do' list!  It's like walking into a treasure trove filled with beautiful, covetable items.  I have been known to stand outside just staring at a dress in the window with a wistful look on my face!

Kate and her team at Heartfelt are one of the few places in Bristol offering a bespoke wedding service including the most beautiful dresses and accessories, as well as  a seamstress, headpiece designers and hair and makeup artists.  They can also help you with florists, photographers, entertainers, vintage crockery and much more.

On the day they'll be bringing along some stunning unique vintage wedding dresses, each with their own history.  And if the dress isn't the exact fit, their seamstress has some magical ways to help make it just right for you as well as talking you through the options of finding your dream dress if you know what you want but just can't find it.  

The Heartfelt website has some clever tips worth reading before you visit the fair on what to bring with you when you're looking for your perfect vintage dress.

As well as bridal wear and accessories, Hearfelt stock a truly lovely selection of handpicked quality vintage pieces along with preloved designer items and vintage inspired designer pieces so, when you go along to find your wedding dress, your friends may also find the ideal outfit for your big day!

But Heartfelt is so much more than just a vintage shop - they have a scrummy tea room, so you can have a rest after the hard work of buying gorgeous vintage items AND they provide a range of Hen Party activities including fascinator making, vintage makeovers with photographs or just a glamorous afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly - whatever you choose they guarantee you'll have fabulous vintage fun!

Enquiries

Email:    heartfeltvintageltd@gmail.com    
Website: www.heartfeltvintage.co.uk

MOOMIE SWAN - THE BRAINS BEHIND THE BRAND!

Every now and again you come across someone's work and you know you're going to love everything they do - Moomie Swan is one of those people for me!  She's the designer of our fabulous promotional artwork

We worked together for the first time on the artwork for the Bristol Zoo fair earlier this year but I'd known Moomie for several years and had loved her work, so I was really excited when she agreed to work with us on the fair artwork.

There's something really evocative about Moomie's work - it's like our world but in a slightly parallel, far more interesting universe!  Take a look at her blog to immerse yourself into her world.  I'm working with her on avatars for my businesses and I'm totally intrigued with what she'll come up with (watch this space!).  What's more, she is just so easy to work with - I just give her a brief and she comes up with pretty much perfection!

I love the quirkiness of her characters, and each piece of artwork tells a story - you want to know the background - who they are, what's their story - what will happen next!

If you want artwork or a portrait in Moomie's quirky style, get in touch.  She is quite amazing!  moomieswan@googlemail.com

WITH LOVE FROM BOBBIN - BESPOKE BRIDAL ACCESSORIES

With Love from Bobbin is the home of bespoke bridal accessories.

From signature headpieces to custom made belts, each piece is lovingly handcrafted by designer, Ashley McMath, in Wales.

Think antique lace, vintage trims, beads and feathers…

…and you'll have an idea of these totally romantic bridal accessories.

A consultation with Ashley is by appointment only at the quirky Little Wedding Emporium, based in the Castle Arcade, Cardiff, but you can meet her in person this Sunday, 21st September at The Daffodil. She'll have some beautiful bespoke accessories with her and plenty of advice on how to achieve the perfect vintage-inspired look for your wedding day.

Find out more on the website or follow Ashley on Twitter and Facebook, but make sure you come to our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair - it's not to be missed!

(Thanks to Jessica Withey Photography for the fab pics).

L K BESPOKE BRIDAL - STUNNINGLY UNIQUE WEDDING GOWNS

If you're looking for a distinctive, hand crafted wedding gown that is totally unique to you as well as fantastic personal service every step of the way, Lisa Keating is your lady.

A wonderful designer with over 28 years' experience of making wedding gowns and corsets, Lisa will work with you to capture your vision of the perfect wedding dress. 

Specialising in alternative, bespoke bridal wear Lisa has a BA in fashion and textiles and teaches at Heartspace in Clevedon.  Her personal passion is stunning corsets and co-ordinated skirts and she runs weekend corset making workshops (honeymoon surprise for the new hubbie, or a great hen weekend idea!). 

She is essentially a designer who makes and pattern cuts and her work with you will always be collaborative.   Her aim is to bring your dream to life and to reflect your personality through your individual design, guiding you through the maze of possibilities - helping you choose the style, colour, shape and material that is perfect for you.

Her passion for fashion and textiles means she keeps up with current trends as well as taking inspiration from historical fashion, film and theatre and she takes pride in developing each gown from the early research stages through fabric sourcing, pattern-cutting and creating each individual dress by hand to couture standards, to your final, magical fitting!

When you start your journey with Lisa you'll be working with a true artist.  She's always pushing the boundaries and can make the most beautiful fairy-tale wedding dresses, inspired by Boho chic or a vision of Marie Antoinette but also experiments with other designers, including a great leatherworker - producing a pattern-printed leather corset. Her work is her passion and she's always looking at new materials and designs.

Lisa also offers an alteration service so, if you have a vintage dress or a family heirloom she can help.  One bride had a beautiful coat made from her mother's wedding dress.

Not only will you adore being involved in the creative process, you will love working with Lisa because of her lovely, bubbly personality.  Her enthusiasm and love for her work is all-encompassing.  Visiting her studio is a dream - there's so much to look at - you'll want to touch everything, with beautiful laces, silks and samples!  You really won't want to leave!  

A fabulous bonus of working with Lisa is that the bride is given all her beautiful sketches, the pattern and her swatches as keepsakes of the creative process.  

Her clients can't sing her praises enough - read what they say and you'll be dying to start working with her!