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 

Love Vintage Show - Melbourne

Last night was the opening of the Love Vintage Show at the amazing Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. 

I don't get to enjoy the evening lights of Melbourne very often; with a 4 year old and no family close by we have to pick our few nights out carefuly.  But last night I had a chance to put on my sadly recluse 1940's dress to join a few friends and drool over all manner of outfits and accessories - my heart fluttered all evening.

Bakelite beauties - look at the cat cuff and the heart brooch uuugggghhh too expensive for my budget.

Hats, hats and more hats, and look at that little coat!

 

 Of course when there is a free photobooth one cannot walk by without a slew of animated poses, Jacinta and I hammed it up with silent film whimsy.

After walking around half the show we came to Catherine's stall Audrey Scarlett Vintage and we popped in to say hello and of course like the consummate professional she had her tape measure to hand.  Jess and Catherine were indeed surprised to be the same size! 

   

 I got my hands on Mr Ed's camera for the evening and tried to figure out how to work the damn thing.

 I saw a lot of dresses that I didn't have the time to try on, ponder over or afford but I did come away with a wonderful 1950's wooden brooch, she has a few leaves missing but as soon as I saw her I couldn't leave her behind - the beginning of a wooden brooch obsession.

 And so I got home just in time to see the end of the 1st semi final of Eurovision, yes, I love Eurovision.

It was an all too brief night (it closed at 9pm) and forgot to mention Jacinta was one of the judges of the fashion parade, but I'm sure she'll tell you all about that on her blog soon.

So until next time.....x