{ Custom Design } Sunshine Yellow Cascade Necklaces

Custom Bridesmaid Necklaces in shades of yellow

A little while ago I received an enquiry for four mis-matched bridesmaid necklaces to accessorise a lovely yellow bridesmaid dress. The bride didn't want the necklaces to be identical, and we decided upon my new Cascade design as this would work well with variations providing that mismatched feel, yet keeping the overall look cohesive.

Jonquil beads accent the clasp to keep the necklace pretty from the back.

I used to be very wary of yellow as a colour, maybe because it was one of the colours in my first school uniform, but more and more I am embracing yellow in a variety of shades. In recent times I've even added some yellow pieces to my wardrobe. It is also my little girl's favourite colour - I wonder if this is why I've grown to love the shade I once shunned?

Set of Yellow Bridesmaid Necklaces

Working with yellow freshwater pearls and jonquil (pale yellow) Swarovski crystals and fire polished glass beads was like working with sunshine. I love how the necklaces have turned out, each different, but part of a set.

I love making bespoke jewellery and working on custom requests. It's so satisfying creating something that is just perfect. I particularly love working on wedding jewellery and being part of such a special day.

If you are interested in commissioning a piece of bespoke jewellery or customising an existing design, then drop me an email and let's chat.

Viv x

{ Sunday Stumbles } 19/02/12 - no stumbles, but lots of news!

Pure Crystal Bracelet in Amethyst, Birthstone for February

Although I've stumbled upon many lovely things this week, sadly I've just not had time to sit down, pick my favourite few and blog them. It's been a busy old week dealing with the craziness that was halfterm and the second week of sick children (why couldn't they be ill at the same time?!). I've also been busy with what has been one of Poppy Sparkles' best weeks. Thank you everyone for your support.

Pure Crystal Earrings in Light Amethyst - brithstone crystal for June

I completed a lovely order for a set of bridesmaids necklaces, which I will share in another blog post. Of particular note amongst my orders this week, was an order for 50 friendship bracelets to be used as corporate gifts for the lucky ladies of a networking group. I'd not thought about my jewellery as corporate gifts before, so this is something I'm going to look at further.

Sparkle petite earrings in Montana Swarovski Crystal

I'm working on my new website. The amount of time it's taking is annoying me now, so I'm trying to make sure I do a bit on this each day. More fun is the work on new jewellery designs. Something has clicked and I feel like I now have a much clearer idea of  'my style' and the direction I want to take my jewellery. Clean. Fresh. Contemporary. Sophisticated. Stylish. Simple. All words that I associate with my jewellery.

One of the first places to stock some of my new designs will be Studio 61 which will soon be added to my list of stockists.

And as I sit and type this the lovely Marie Donn is preparing for the Face of Poppy Sparkles photoshoot! Excited, much? Oh yes!

Before I go, if you haven't checked out the 'Special's section on my website for a while, then there's a few new additions. Amongst these are some lovely sterling silver charm necklaces that would be prefect for a christening or confirmation gift. Don't forget there's FREE UK Delivery on all orders too!

{ Sunday Stumbles } 12/02/2012

Hello! It's Sunday again and time for me to share a few of my favourite internet finds this week.

Silver Glitter Shoes from Schuh

Glitter shoes - aren't these just spectacular! No idea where I'd wear them, in fact I'd be happy to just look at them upon my feet!

I have hit that point in life when I realise I need a system to organize my family. I'm fed up the amount of time wasted whilst I hunt down a piece of paper I need. I stumbled upon The Nest effect which has lots of ideas on how to get organised.
Valentine's Day is not so far off. I've been really loving the 'Love it up!' theme over on the Oh My Handmade blog. Perhaps my favourite was the 'Date night Challenge'. It can be so easy to forget to make time as a couple and remember that dating is something that needs to continue, even after you've said 'I do'. It's not easy with young children, but there's always the stay at home date night if finding a babysitter is tricky.

{ Printable } Free Heart Gift Tags

Printable Heart Gift Tag

The lovely Isa from Noisette Marketing is helping spread some love as Valentine's Day draws near and has kindly given me a free heart gift tag printable to share with you all.

These would be fab as a finishing touch to your Valentine's Day gift, but with no mention of the V-word these could be used all year, ideal for a wedding or annivesary gift.

These would look perfect with some ribbon or twine.

If you'd like to share this download I'd love that, but please link back to the original blog post. This download is for personal use only which means you can use them for your home, business, give away as gifts but do not re-package and resell. Thank you for your understanding!

If you loved this free download, go checkout Isa's The Academy blog for more great downloads and printables!

New Stockist - Grace and Favour

Freshwater Pearl Friendship Bracelet by Poppy Sparkles and available from Grace and Favour, Thornton, Lancashire

A little way into the second month of 2012 and I have completed one of my goals for the year - to secure a bricks and mortar wholesale customer. I really didn't expect to tick that one off so soon and it's given me a real kick of confidence that I can realise my dreams.

I'm pleased to announce that a selection of Poppy Sparkles jewellery is available to purchase from Grace and Favour, located at Marsh Mill, Thornton in Lancashire. This is a newly opened gift shop just a little walk from my home. As I live so close, they are able to stock my birthstone jewellery, including my Mummy Necklaces which will be available to order and ready within a few days.

I'm now working on a new goal and stretching my ambitions a little further.

{ Sunday Stumbles } 05/02/12

And so it's Sunday again and time for some stumbles from my internet travels over the last week.

Handmade Bridal Flats by Pink2BLue on Etsy

Aren't these just gorgeous? Absolutely beautiful handmade bridal shoes. Wonder if I can persuade my husband to renew our vows?

I love looking at colour pallettes to provide inspiration for interior design, colours combinations for my jewellery and just for pretty eye candy. Design Seeds is a great place to explore colour options and perhaps consider some colours you may have not otherwise.
Would you recognise beauty in an unexpected place and an inappropriate hour? Would you make time to stop and enjoy the beauty? This story about Joshua Bell playing incognito in Washington DC made me think. I love that it was the children who paid the most attention - sometimes we need to learn from our children.

My last stumble isn't so positive. Seeing that one of my pins had been repinned I, being nosey, went to check it out and discovered that one of my designs had been pinned as a 'craft idea' on a board with DIY tutorials. The logical conclusion is that my original design and work is being very publicly advertised as someone's craft project. Whilst I realise that there will be instances of people copying or being inspired by my designs, this is the first time I've seen it so publicly broadcast. I've seen a few pins of original work in people's 'Things to Make' boards. Rather than rant, I'd like to ask you to take a few minutes to read over a post on Oh My Handmade about ethical pinning.

For those in the UK with snow, hope it doesn't hamper your plans and if you are that way inclined, you have fun in the chilly white stuff. As for me, we currently have thick frost and no doubt ice. The rain yesterday was freezing as it hit and made for very slippy conditions out....... I sort of slid down a slight slope on my way to putting rubbish in the bin outside! Thankfully I managed to stay upright. Today is a cosy and snuggle day. Unless it snows, in which case I'll be wrapping the family up warm and going out to play! Stay warm! x

{ New Design } C A S C A D E - Cascades of Sparkles and Pearls

Cascade Handmade Earrings by Poppy Sparkles

It's been a little while since I create a new design that is one to be developed into a collection. For some weeks, even months, I've had a variety of nearly-there-but-not-quite-right designs and ideas floating about and various prototypes and materials out on my work table that I keep coming back to and tweaking. Finally last night I created the earrings pictured above. I love them! Delicate with swarovski crystal dancing and cascading down a light sterling silver chain. Such pretty earrings

It's not a complicated design and I did wonder why it's taken me so long. The truth is I was aiming for something more complicated and fussy. It just wasn't working. And so, I stripped the fuss right back and kept it delicate, light, minimal.

Pastels are set to be big for Spring 2012, so I used delicate pastels with pacific opal, vintage rose and White opal swarovski crystals. However, I can visual this design with clear crystals for a bride and a multitude of colourways.

I've decided to call this design Cascade and am looking forward to developing a whole collection. In the meantime, if you love this design and want it in particular colours or would like matching items, drop me an email viv {at} poppysparkles {dot} co {dot} uk

For now the earrings pictured will be available at £24 from www.poppysparkles.co.uk as well as some of my other online boutiques.