Novelty Brooch Friday - March

Happy March and a happy new Novelty Brooch Friday maker.

This month's maker is Heather from MerriWeather,  Heather creates wonderful jewellery inspired by the images and accessories of the 1940s, those wonderful iconic symbols: hearts, arrows, horseshoes, acorns..........a lady after my own heart.

Thank you Heather for your insightful answers, I really enjoyed reading about your experience, your inspirations and a little bit about your home town.

When did you start making jewellery and what inspired you to do so.

I started making jewellery because I desperately wanted a MacArthur Heart, but every one I found was over $700 - so I thought “I am just going to make one myself!”  So I started by carving the original out of clay. Then I had to figure out how to make a mould from it. Trying out different casting methods, and different resins - I was hooked!

I have really enjoyed the process of designing the different pieces for my shop, carving the original parts, and trying to get them just right.

Your brooches are made of resin, do you find it an easy material to work with?  Are there other materials you haven't worked with that you would like to experiment with?

Resin is easy and it is terrible! Different resins have a different finish and different clarity, they all have different hardening times. There is a bit of a learning curve to getting it just right. I think the hardest part is getting your original carving right- to create your mould from. Your mould is only as good as your original part.

I would really like to try to do some mixed materials. I would like to do some wood and resin brooches. I just need to figure out how to make the moulds. I have a few pieces that involve two-part moulds, it was really fun to figure out how to make the pieces work together.

Can you list some of the jewellery makers you admire.

I love love, love Martha Sleeper. Her work is so amazing and whimsical, it just brings me joy to look at her work. I also really love Belle Kogan, one of the first female Industrial Designers, she did all these amazing 2-tone, polka-dot pieces and bangles. Plus she did these spectacular folded origami type ceramics.

Of course, Elsa Schiaparelli, she makes you want to figure out how to build a time machine! I just love her take on things. She was so incredibly artistic, she makes me want to learn how to knit, and how to make hats. I find her truly inspiring.

You are based in Austin, Texas, can you tell us a bit about Austin and what you love about living there.

I was born in Austin, so I am a bit biased - it is the capital of Texas. It has always been this beacon for artists and musicians, creatives have been drawn to it for decades. It is a university town, so there is always an influx of youth.

There is a great music scene, there are always fabulous bands playing every night, and there are always bands passing through. There is always something to do. It is a wonderful and creative place, full of supportive people, you can be yourself- whoever that is.

Is there any advice you can give people thinking of starting their own business.

More than anything else I would say - do what you love. Do what makes you happy.  Create what makes you happy, and what brings you joy. Otherwise, what is the point? Start small, always push yourself to learn new techniques, do new designs, try new methods - learn as much as you can. Just make sure you enjoy it. Your joy will show in your work.

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And so the brooch you could be in with a chance to win for #NoveltyBroochFriday in March is this beautiful 'Love Letters' brooch.

Just use the hashtag on any Friday in March, showing your favourite brooches on Instagram.

Thank you again Heather, and if you'd like to keep up to date with her creations you can also follow MerriWeather36 on Instagram.

See you every Friday for yours and my novelty brooch fix xxx

Novelty Brooch Friday - November

Happy November and happy Novelty Brooch Friday for another month! 

I am so happy this maker agreed to be showcased this month because I love her work, I have purchased 2 of her creations and pine after many more - they are gorgeous.  And to tell you the truth I really wanted to find out more about her background and her business.  

Another Australian business that gets me excited and am so pleased to bring to you....if you haven't already discovered her.  Thank you Ashley for your time and for offering 2! Brooches, so this month there will be 2 winners!!! You really are lucky ducks.

Demure Couture

When did you start your business Demure Couture and what got you interested in making jewellery? 

Firstly, thanks so much for having me for November’s feature – I’m honoured… and mega-nuts about novelty brooches (clearly!), so it’s all very exciting.
 

I started the line back in 2009, under Pistol Packin’ Designs, but it was quite different then. I was (and still am) mad for vintage hats; the felt, the detailing – The wackier and kitschier the better!  When I continued the line, after moving to Australia, I found the culture to be quite different and not as receptive. A lot of the feedback I was getting would relate back to horse-racing and seemed to be most acceptable during this season; a completely new concept to me, as horse-racing isn’t such an affair in California, or at least, not that I was ever aware of. I began to focus my work towards special events; custom pieces for wedding, parties, etc. Demure Couture was born.   

After many lovely, local designers began creating pieces in the same vein, I decided to expand Demure. I’d always created bits and pieces of jewellery for myself and started to explore that space further. I’m ridiculously obsessed with novelty brooches and old plastics, and pine for those hard to find Bakelite pieces. I started toying with concepts and sketches of items I loved and wanted to reproduce, and hoped there were just a few like-minded folk out there that would dig what I was doing.  Throughout these years, I’ve finally found myself in a place where I’m absolutely in love with what I’m creating and I hope that shows. I have my mits on every little piece, down to the initial sketch, to carving and casting, sanding and hand-painting, and knowing others are stoked when they receive their orders makes it all that much better!  

 Are there any themes or imagery you like to include in your designs?  If you’re familiar with my work, there’s no denying I’m heavily influenced by good ole Spaghetti Westerns and all things South of the Border! I do love a splash of tropical Hawaiian and an under-the-sea theme as well. Pretty much, if you’re looking for donkeys, sombreros and lobsters… I’m you’re gal! Ha ha 

Can you tell us a few of your favourite artists/designers and what it is about them you admire?  Ah! How much time do we have??
1930s/40s jewellery (and fashion for that matter) had this beautiful balance of structure and complete imagination!  

My biggest icons, hands down, that steady that scale would have to be Elsa Schiaparelli, Carmen Miranda, Lupe Velez, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, Nudie Cohn… the list goes on…  A few of my fave modern designers, that I seriously recommend checking out, would be: Forbidden Charm, Cork Stuff, She Accessories, Nudie Rodeo Tailors, War Path...all, seriously tops!   

Are there any materials you would like to work with that you haven't already?  I’d love to get into silver and stone work - It is an absolute craft, so I will respectfully leave that up to the pros! Ha ha  

Is there any advice you could give to someone who wants to start their own business?  Sit down and brainstorm, really nut out a vision, even if it starts out small – be sure it is something you believe in and would still want to continue doing, even if you were your only consumer. Talk to people – research your market. Be unique and true to yourself. Most of all, have fun… when the love for what you’re doing leaves, get out, or evolve! We’re always learning and growing – Allow that to reflect in your work… and don’t judge yourself too harshly when you look back.
 

If you’re keen to check out more of Ashley's work, you can find her here:  

Instagram: @demure_couture 

www.demurecouturedesigns.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/DemureCouture 
www.demurecouture.net

So would you like to see the the brooches you could be in the chance to win this month?

You guessed it its the lobster and the sombrero!

Thank you so much Ashley again, and remember post a picture of yourself with one of your favourite novelty brooches on any Friday in November with the hashtag #noveltybroochfriday to be in with a chance to be one of two lucky winners.

The winners will be announced on Monday 1st December.

Have a wonderful November and see you on Friday xx

Novelty Brooch Friday - May

This month I'm so pleased to be able to ask a few questions of Katy the creator of Luxulite! Yes Katy has agreed to also offer one of her wonderful brooches to one lucky person who posts a photo of themselves with a novelty brooch and uses #noveltybroochfriday on Instagram on any Friday in May.

I first discovered Luxulite on Instagram last year and quickly snapped up one of her sparkly creations from her Etsy shop.  I have noticed a lot of other people, especially those of you who post to #noveltybroochfriday feel the same way about her work. Its fun, colourful and has that vintage feel and of course 'novelty' about it.

I asked Katy 5 questions about her creations and a little bit about her methods, mediums and inspirations.

How long have you been making jewellery and did you have any formal training

I have always been a maker, ever since I was a little girl. My mum (hi mum!) is a florist and is one of the most creative and generous ladies, so I grew up making things with her (we still like to make things with each other when I visit - she helped me make my fruit salad necklaces at Christmas!)

I studied jewellery design, (among several other arts and design disciplines) when I left school, and then studied Sculpture for my degree at St Martins in London. That's about as far as any formal training goes. The methods that I use now are all self-taught, by trial and error - I've made some terrible messes along the way, and still manage to get my fingers stuck together with superglue every so often, but that's all part of the fun of making things!

Your jewellery is of a 40's/50's style, what is it about this era that inspires you

I'm a HUGE fan of 1940's and 50's lifestyle - everything from the music to the design, fashion and architecture. I'm a self-confessed eternal optimist too, so the sense of fun and optimism that you can see in the design and fashions of the post-war era really appeals to me. It must have been a really exciting time, seeing the fashion, design and musical influences from across the Atlantic coming to Britain after the hardships of the war.

Are there any jewellers you admire

I adore the work of Martha Sleeper, who created some of the most amazing bakelite (often combined with wood, metal or leather) jewellery in the late 1930's and 40's. Her designs are absurdly fun and are sure to put a smile on anyone's face, or start a conversation... 

I love this excerpt from The Washington Post in 1941 about Martha's work (it makes me want to design even giddier 'lapel gadgets')! 

WHEN A MAN is drawn unwittingly into conversation by a giddy lapel gadget on a woman's suit, little does he think it was worn for that express purpose. Yet, according to actress-designer Martha Sleeper, women have discovered that unusual jewelry brings them into the limelight.

Can you tell us a little bit about the materials you use

My brooches are hand cast in resin, in my little shed, with copious amounts of glitter in all colours and textures! Many, many hours are spent sourcing supplies. I love using vintage beads and objects for my necklaces and earrings, some of my favourite finds have been vintage plastic drink markers, plastic matchsticks (a homage to Martha of course!) and miniature brass horseshoes. I’m ALWAYS on the lookout for new supplies, but again it's all about trial and error - I've had some major supply fails along the way when buying things from overseas - my favourite(!) disasters were some 'miniature' flamingos that turned out to be as big as my head,  and some 'plastic' lobsters that turned out to be made of the wobbliest jelly I have ever felt! (If anyone needs wobbly glittery lobsters please let me know!)

Is there any advice you could give to someone starting their business

I think attention to detail is key, from taking great photos of your products to spending a little extra time on wrapping your packages, or keeping in touch with your customers via Social media - it all adds up to providing not just a great product but a great service too - one that will (hopefully) get customers coming back for more. 

Secondly, if you want it to work, be prepared to work HARD! I'm currently juggling a full-time job plus my Etsy store which means I'm up at 6am and don't stop working until about 10.30-11pm each night. It makes it all worthwhile when you see photos of your fabulous customers wearing your creations. I am sleepy, but very happy!

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And so this month Katy has so generously donated this fruity brooch to one lucky person who posts a photo of themselves with one of their favourite novelty brooches with the hashtag #noveltybroochfriday on Instagram any Friday in May!

Entries can be submitted on any Friday in May up to and including Friday 30th May.  I will announce the winner (randomly chosen) on Monday 2nd June. 

Open to everyone so get your brooches out (new or vintage) and you could have another fabulous brooch to add to your collection.

*If you are a designer or sell vintage brooches (worldwide) and wish to donate a brooch for an upcoming month and have your shop showcased, please contact me at tunabake@hotmail.com 

A Touch of Gold

Last Friday my work held its annual dinner and the theme was 'A touch of gold'.  I was going to wear a gold and black 1960's brocade dress but when I saw this 1940's blue lace dress I couldn't resist.

Then it was just a matter of finding some gold accessories to match the dress and theme. I had this great goldtone 1960's charm bracelet that I hadn't worn due to it sounding like jingle bells but love.  I then found a gold headpiece at a high street shop that was perfect and very cheap which then tied into the ring I chose which has a leaf motif.

My current obsession with hoop earrings was an obvious choice and then....false eyelashes (I hadn't worn falsies since my University days) and some gold pigment for eye shadow.  Now I don't wear too much makeup normally so I was freaking out my daughter, or maybe freaking isn't the word, more like amusing her.

Standby for the glamour shot, channeling Phryne Fisher.

I was enjoying my night too much to remember to take any photos so the only one that was taken was on the dance floor (yes I did get up to have a dance, after copious glasses of champagne I am game for most things)

Oh and I did wear my fake fur jacket that I have been dying to wear woohoo! I love it. 

And then home in a taxi, yes this is a taxi not a police car as it might seem - I didn't drink THAT much to become a delinquent, just enough to have a good time and arrive home after midnight! Gasp!

I love dressing up and never get the chance, someone invite me to a fancy party please so I can plan my next outfit x