But now with Summer upon us (although looking out of the window, perhaps no-one's told the weather that!), it's time to revert to my favourite pastime: making bridal jewellery.
I don't know what the attraction is for me, maybe it's all the pretty sparkly crystals, but I really do love making wedding jewellery and in particular tiaras. Anyway I've definitely got the bug again.
I like to incorporate vintage pearls in my tiaras for the "something old", but recently I came across an idea in a magazine that incorporated a vintage brooch. Needless to say that set my imagination racing, so I have made two brooch tiaras. The gold one includes a vintage brooch, the silver one includes a new brooch made for the British Heart Foundation Charity to help them raise funds, which I bought from one of their shops in aid of a worthy cause.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW TIARA
ROSEBUD TIARA
Although I love the traditional bridal colours, I know not everyone wants to marry in ivory or white. So I have made an alternative, more goth version in black and purple colours.
MORGANA TIARA
I have a head full of design ideas and I've definitely got more coming soon. Yesterday I actually bought "Asian Bride" magazine as I love the whole Bollywood thing and a quick glance at it was enough to tell me it was full of inspiration. The Partner Who Is Not My Husband thought I was nuts, but he's used to my moments of madness by now, so kept his opinions to himself. I can feel a Bollywood inspired tiara coming on though!
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I guess my blog title is a little inaccurate, in truth I've only ever been a bridesmaid twice. The first time was for my Dad's sister and I was only 2! The second time was for my Mum's sister and I was 12. So not only have I never had the chance to wear a wedding dress but I've never really worn a proper bridesmaids dress either. Way back then, everything was handmade and in all honesty not very pretty or girly. Don't get me wrong, I'm really not a girly girl at all. I was a tomboy as a child, and I still live in my jeans. I only bought my first dress last year! But still there is something very appealing about a long flowing ivory dress, embellished with pearls, crystals, embroidery, lace etc.
So I make all these tiaras and chokers, necklaces and earrings and I watch the faces of the excited brides-to-be who buy them, and I muse to myself about what it must be like to wear them. Every new tiara I make I show to The Partner Who Is Not My Husband, ostensibly because I value his opinion and he is my first point of feedback for all my new designs, but secretly I am hoping that seeing me with a tiara on my head may stir some primeval urge within him! I am guessing it's not working, because although he always says how lovely they are, I am still waiting!
In the meantime I will continue to create my little beauties and muse over whether I'll ever get to wear one of my creations. Because I DO love making them! (And that folks is probably the only chance I'll have to say "I DO"!)
Can't wait to see the Bollywood inspired tiara!
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