The pressure is on!

This Sunday I'm having a wedding style photo shoot for my latest jewellery collection.

Fingers and toes are well and truly crossed for a frosty winter wonderland! The weather has been perfect all week with a sparkling layer of frost everywhere so I'm hoping it will last until Sunday!

The amazing Claire Collinson will be the photographer; we're using the Bowes Museum Gardens in Barnard Castle as one of our locations and the lovely Verity Naseby as the Bride.

'Cakes made to order' and I have collaborated on a vintage style wedding cake, as she is also going to be exhibiting at The Blackwell Grange wedding Fayre.

Denise Marmont from Muscari florists is providing the flowers.

Victoria Beere has made the beautiful, 1950's style, vintage wedding dress.

Niche Living are providing beautiful interior accessories to set the scene. 

For the second location we are using a stunning room designed by Claire Elizabeth Designs & Bespoke Finishing Services, in Barnard Castle.

And Rachel Hughes is doing the hair and make up!

What a beautiful colour palette for a winter wedding, chocolate and cream yummy!

I love the big tissue paper ruffle decorations here’s a tutorial to show you how to make them your self. It’s such good fun making things yourself and it’ll save you a bit of cash too.

For some quirky alternative wedding ideas, see this blog http://www.belleamour.co.uk/category/alternative-altar/ I love this tree wrapped in lace!  

How sweet are these Shabby Chic custom made bridesmaids dresses?! by Armour sans anguish  

This stunning powder pink silk rose and vintage diamante brooch bouquet, is something that will last forever, maybe you could throw something else over your shoulder!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72997390/bridal-bouquet-made-to-order-forever

There are so many cute wedding cake toppers out there! I found these on Etsy by Orlydesign, a fab place to look for all things handmade and lovely.

I've just come across this stunning wedding bouquet made entirely out of vintage brooches! Amazing

I don't know what it is about tins, but i completely LOVE them!!!

I have hundreds of them! I use them on my dressing table with make up and jewellery in, in the bathroom with toiletries, in the kitchen for tea, and biscuits and stock cubes and cakes.... they are just gorgeous! I was putting together a mood board and came across these little beauties so thought I'd share them, what a feast for the eyes!!! :-)

This is a really beautiful poem about living life to the full....

If I had my life to live over,

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.

I'd relax, I would limber up.

I would be sillier than I have been this trip.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances.

 I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.

 I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles,

but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely,

hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments,

and if I had to do it over again,

I'd have more of them.

In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.

Just moments,

one after another,

instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

 I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer,

a hot water bottle,

a raincoat and a parachute.

If I had to do it again,

I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over,

 I would start barefoot earlier in the spring

and stay that way later in the fall.

I would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies.

These are so cute and really well made i love the little pink one with the leopardprint flower on her website!

http://www.humblebumbleb.com/#!__gallery

This is a pretty cool technique, i wonder if it would work with fabric? They would make really lovely party decorations!

I completely love fascinators and hats, and they are so easy to make! You can buy fascinator bases on ebay or make your own buy cutting up an old straw hat and sewing bias binding around the edge! You can even cut out a circle of cardboard and cover it with fabric! The flowers they make on this tutorial are pretty cool, you could use that technique to make really big flowers of all different shapes and sizes. Fab fab fab! im feeling inspired! Happy hat making people!

I've just come accross these fab bangles made from old plastic knitting needles by Liana Kabel

It's dead easy to do at home, all you need is a pan of boiling water, plastic knitting needles, a bangle mandrel/ former (or rolling pin... or anything round to wrap the needles around!)and a well ventolated area!

Just heat up the knitting needles in the boiling water, then after 5- 10 minutes take them out (using tongs) and wrap them around your former.

I wore thermal gloves when handling the hot plastic but it cools down quickly so you need to be quite quick. Once it's in the right shape hold it into a bowl of cold water to set. If it isn't flexible enough just put it back into the water for a bit longer and try again! Easy!

Apparently you can use a steamer, but it didnt seem to work as well as the boiling water. Happy bangle making! x:-) 

If you don't fancy making them you can buy them from Liana Kitch on Etsy, she has all kinds of wonderful kitch and recycled jewellery!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LianaKabel

Here are some pictures of the process involved in making on of my lyric bangles!

1) cut silver wire to size with piercing saw

2) solder

3) put in safety pickle (acid bath) to clean

4) rinse then file excess solder off

5) hammer flat to give the battered organic look! (ear plugs are handy as this is pretty loud!

6) Hand stamp the personalised message- each letter individually

6) oxidise, so you can read the writing easily

7) polish with 5 different polishing wheels

8) gift wrap!

Here are a few behind the scenes pics from a photoshoot with my lovely sister and Claire Collinson! It was very much fun, but flipping freezing! Pictures of my new collection coming soon!

I've organised a wonderful array of craft based workshops to be held at my Parents retreat centre http://wycliffecentre.jimdo.com/workshops/

near Barnard Castle, County Durham

We've got some fantastic artists lined up to share their skills

There is going to be:

Jewellery revamping

revamping kids clothes

crochet (hearts, hats and flowers)

embellishing cardigans

felt making

stained glass

and Polymer Clay Beads (fimo)

I'm so excited I will be doing all of the courses!!!

With prices starting from only £17.50 you can learn some life long skills and not break the bank!

If you want to do a whole weekend you can stay at St Mary's for just £30 b&b including an evening meal! 

Home made soup and crusty bread will be available at lunch time for £3.50 and tea, coffee and scones will be available for a donation. Just let us know your dietry requirements.

If you would like to book a place on any of the courses then please get in touch!

info@emmahedley.com

01833 630921

I was just searching google images for some heart bunting for the valentines home page, and came across this beautiful blog showing you how to make your own crochet heart bunting! It's so cute! here is a link to see how to do it

http://juliacrossland.blogspot.com/2010/03/teeny-tiny-heart-bunting.html 

I'm going to have a go! X:-) 

I've just been out to the garden and measured the snow on the table it's 35.5cm!! I love it! Now I'm working away in my studio with christmas music on, feel like a little elf! Happy snow everyone! x:-)

A few weeks ago I was asked to revamp some furniture for Addisons auctioneers in Barnard Castle and LUXE magazine. 

I had to go along to an auction, bid on some bargain furniture, then take it home and revamp it!

It was all very exciting! I had to try and compose myself otherwise I would have got whipped up into a frenzy and bought everything!! As it was my first time at an auction, i didn't realise you had to register to be able to bid, so after a few failed attemptes at bidding I asked at the reception what i was supposed to do! Ridiculous I know. Anyway i managed to get the standard lamps a foot stool and a dressing table for less than a tenner!

then the work began...

I decided to knit a cover for one of the lamps and the foot stool, knitting is great and you can do it almost anywhere... which i did, even walking around Barny during the Teesdale open studios week! I used organic fairtrade cotton from Buttons and Bowes, a fantastic wool shop in Barnard Castle, and some odds and ends from the YMCA local charity shop.

The dressing table and the other standard lamp, I re painted in a lovely duck egg blue, then painted the handles white with blue spots! Which compared to the knitting marathon was quick and easy! The lamps needed re-wiring and a couple of nice lamp shades and that was it!

Auctions are the best! You can find some fab bargains, and have great fun at the same time! I will definitely be going again x:-)  

To see the LUXE magazine article and furniture pics click the link below

http://www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/archive/2010/LXissue7/pageflip.html

I had the most Blissful day at Rockliffe Hall! I got dropped off at 9am thinking that the launch was starting at 10am, but it was actually starting at 12!!! So lucky me ended up with 3 hours worth of ultimate pampering in the SPA!!! It is completely incredible, with a beautiful rainbow of stained glass by the pool, a huge plate of fresh fruit to refresh yourself, iced tea and water to keep you hydrated whilst relaxing! 

The hydro-pool is lovely and warm with a variety of different water pressured fountains, pipes and jets to massage your body. There was one that really made me laugh, it bubbles right up your back starting at the base making everything wabble, so i was sitting on my own laughing histerically!

The sound-wave therapy beds were amazing! They are in a beautiful body temperatured room with heated mosaic tiled beds shaped to fit the contours of your body with relaxing music and little twinkling lights in the celing.

Then theres the tepidarium, caldarium, tropicarium, roman and heat saunas, which range in temperature with either moisure, steam or dry heat all with beautiful lighting and music.

After a hot room you can either have an ice cold monsoon shower or exfoliate with ice from the ice fountain in the Igloo! I loved the Igloo! It was so refreshing, although i had to muffle my shrieks and squeals because it was so cold rubbing the ice all over your hot body (temperature hot i mean!)

Theres also a fabulous mosaic tiled foot spa with hot and ice cold mini bubbling baths to plunge your feet into.

The whole experience was sheer bliss. My skin was like silk afterwards and i felt like i was floating i was so relaxed!

What a wonderful way to start the day!

When i finally emerged to launch the jewellery collection (after a hot pink Leighton and Denny file and polish)  we had a delicious array of mini mince pies, mulled wine and Ferrero Rochers to tuck into whilst browsing the new Christmas goodies in the SPA Boutique. With lovely reps from Mamma Mio and Comfort zone giving away free samples and special offers, the day was just lovely! The jewellery looked beautiful in the cabinets and went down a storm with the SPA members and staff! 

The Range consists of 'Sleepy Dreamy Tipsy Love' Lyric Rings, (which describes the feeling you get after a good pampering in the spa)

Lyric Bangles with 3 positive affirmations  to choose from 

'Positive things happen to positive people'

' Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony' 

'Love the moment and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries' 

Sterling Silver Cocktail Rings with large clusters of Howlite beads (as seen in July 2010 issue of Vogue)

Matching Bangle charms and plain drop little turquiose earrings.

I'd highly recommend a visit to Rockliffe hall the staff, treatments and the venue are truly amazing!

The jewellery's not bad either even if i do say so my self!! lol x:-)

See more pictures of the event here.

Do you fancy having a little get together with the girls, whilst browsing through a wonderful array of affordable goodies and gifts? Then Book yourself a party! We've got something for everyone, see our facebook page for some sneeky peeks! 

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/ecochicboutique?ref=ts

We can take card payments now too!!!

I'll be launching my new jewellery collection next week at the cheshire young designer of the year finale! I'll also be one of the judges, how exciting! I'll be like Cheryl on X factor! ha ha! I'll also be bringing the Eco Chic Boutique pop up shop, selling a variety of all things eco, vintage, handmade and fabulous!  Can't wait! But the pressure's on, I still haven't chosen a song for the models to strut down the catwalk to.... any suggestions are more than welcome!

This is a fantastic event! The members of the Teesdale Artists Network open their studios to the public, for a behind the scenes preview. You can pick up a brochure with the addresses and contact details for each artist from all around Teesdale. You can see my work in 'My Generation', Barnard Castle Town centre 

http://www.teesdaleopenstudios.co.uk/

The Station, Richmond / Sat 11 Sep – Sun 8 Oct 2010, open 10am – 10pm daily)

This stunning exhibition showcases the work of professional fine artists from Teesdale in Co. Durham. The exhibition features the work of 24 quality vetted artists who work with a diverse range of styles and media to create work of exceptional quality.
With work ranging from gorgeous textiles and design to exquisite artisan jewellery, striking sculpture to textural pottery, and
thought provoking photography to an astonishing range of painting styles, subject matter and media, there should be something of interest for all visitors. This is an exhibition where a visit will be rewarded by finding beauty, challenge, meaning and wonder.

After many late nights, early mornings and a bit of elbow grease the new shop is now open!! Eco Chic Boutique has moved to the beautiful historic market town of Barnard Castle in County Durham! Home to the famous Bowes Museum and surrounded by idyllic countryside, beautiful views, amazing antique shops, friends and family! I also completely love the fact that there is no rush hour!!! In Manchester i was leaving the house at 8am to get to work for 9.30am, and the same journey only took 15mins in normal traffic!!!

Eco Chic Boutique can be located inside 'My Generation' right next to the Butter Market in Barnard Castle town centre. 'My Generation' is an Aladins cave filled with all things Retro, Collectable and Timeless Classics as well as some amazing handmade textiles and artwork by local artists such as Ingried Swan and Stephanie Grant. You can find the Eco Chic Boutique neatly nestled in the back of 'My Generation' selling all things eco, vintage, handmade and fabulous!

I'm stocking some amazing artists work such as some original and limited edition prints by the up and coming star Matthew Swan! Fab t-shirts and cards by Mia Hague and Gus Little, handmade bags and purses by boho raspberry, cute jewellery by she draws, hilarious cards by Hazel Bee! I regularly have people crying with laughter in the corner of the shop because of Hazel!!! Sophisticated contemporary jewellery by Rachel Hearne Stunning Sterling Silver and Swarovski Crystal jewellery by Veritas, cute little glass brooches by Joanna Hedley, gorgeous textile jewellery, hairbands and brooches by Sally Southern.... the list goes on!

Oh my goodness and incredible revamped to order shoes by 'God Bless Shoes' the excitement is unbearable!!! Honestly people are going wild for the shoes! so if you'd like to see some pics and get the latest news have a look at  www.facebook.com/ecochicboutique

It's not often that you see something so incredible it leaves you utterly speachless and giddy with excitement! I can safely say i have never seen anything so fabulous made out of fimo! Irene Hoiles hand makes each bead using polymer clay, each pattern is so intricate that it takes up to 1 week to complete one of her necklaces! The beads are about the size of golf balls but are much lighter. She also makes gorgeous little cigarette/ business card cases, bangles and all kinds of other lovely items! Irene also teaches fimo jewellery making workshops, so i'm sure we will have people queuing up at the eco chic boutique to learn some of her techniques!      

Here are some behind the scenes pictures at BBC Tees in Middlesbrough, with Neil Green and Diane Youdale! What a treat! It was such good fun! I was really scared I'd make a fool out of myself but I think it went really well, thank God! Neil and Diane were lovely and made me feel at ease, so I just relaxed and had a good chat! I took a vintage case full of goodies from the Eco Chic Boutique to show them, and they went down a treat!

You can hear the radio interview  here

Well... where to begin? I've been hibernating through the winter, moving house, designing new collections and opening my first boutique! It's all been very exciting and exhausting but the Eco Chic Boutique is now open!
I'm selling fabulous vintage recycled and new beads as well as revamped clothes shoes and accessories, amazing Hazel Bee cards which are just hilarious! Handmade cushions by Lalou, gorgeous handmade jewellery of course, and lots of other lovely bits and pieces!

The Shop is located in a tiny town called Bishop Aukland, in County Durham, it's part of the 'In Shops' arcade on the main high street! I've been lucky enough to be part of the One Northeast Enterprise Scheme, helping new business get up and running.

I was just listening to Teesdale Radio while peeling wallpaper in our new house, when I heard an advert for funding through 'flexible families' at Enterprise House in Barnard Castle, so I went in for a chat with Sue Smith and came out with a shop!!! I'm so excited and grateful, I’ve always wanted my own little boutique where I can just sit and make lovely jewellery! I just didn’t think it would be possible! So thank you so much to everyone who has helped me get set up! I really can’t thank you enough X:-)     

These are one of my specialities! They have a hand woven silver or silver plated band, with huge chunky clusters of beads on top. Each one is unique Commissions are available on request and can even be made using your old recycled jewellery! The bigger the better I say!  

These fabulously versatile necklaces can be worn in a variety of different ways, either wear them long, wrap them twice around your neck or around your wrist four times as a bracelet!

Each one is nicely finished with a hand stamped silver signature toggle clasp and is available in every colour of the rainbow.

Commissions are available on request if you would like a particular colour, or they can be made to order using your own recycled jewellery.

Thrillermania are atempting to break the World Record for the most zombies doing Michael Jackson's Thriller Dance in Bolton tomorrow night!

The event is taking place at Harper Green Leisure complex at 7pm. There are video tutorials on their website and a link to buy tickets http://www.thrillbolton.co.uk/

How exciting! What an awesome way to celebrate halloween! I met the organisers (pictured above!) outside the Palace Hotel at the Destination Florida fund raising event. Shame I wont be able to join in, I'll be apple bobing while dressed as a pumpkin at a kids halloween party!!! Very excited about that though!!!

On Tuesday 3rd November 2009 12-2pm @ Centurion House, Deansgate, Manchester

I'll be sharing a stall with the lovely Ashley Holden, selling my latest collection of lovely rings, earrings, chunky necklaces and charms. Ashley will be selling her luxurious gift wrapping and personal shopping services! There will be a variety of other stalls there as well so if you are passing by please pop in for a nosey!    

Lucy Hallam's beautiful little boutique 'Gifted' has just opened in Buckfastleigh! What a treat! She is selling all things fabulous, recycled, eco, organic, handmade and unique; Including my Exclusive Handmade Jewellery, Emily Bond fabric and homeware, Nicky Thomson knitted textiles, Coast and Country Interiors, the Organic Baby Company, Angel Eden and she is also the first Bellini Rocks Stockist!

Fancy hosting a jewellery party?
 
If you like the sound of getting together with the girls, having a cupcake and maybe a little drink or two, while browsing some fabulous jewellery then get in touch and book yourself a jewellery party!!!
 
We have a wide variety of styles and prices to suit every budget, whether you're looking for a gift or a treat for yourself!
The host receives a little something special too! Who could resist!
 
Contact info@emmahedley.com 

Oh My Goodness what a week!!! Ashley Holden (One of our bellini girls, you may recognise her from Colleens Real Women!!) went to the Talented Youngster competition at the Palace Hotel. She went sparkling down the red carpet wearing two fabulous stacks of Bellini Rocks rings and a beautiful corset and skirt combo form Co-Cu!! The whole event was to raise money for Destination florida. We donated a stack of Bellini Rocks on a stunning black tulip shaped champagne flute to the charity auction.

All in perfect time for the launch of the bellini rocks website!!! www.bellinirocks.com

I've decided to start teaching workshops again! Every girl has a jewellery box full of old jewellery that never gets worn, so I'm teaching workshops to show people how to recycle their old jewellery and make something new and fabulous!

In this pesky credit crunch time, recycling is what we should all be doing more of! 

It's so satisfying to create something new for your self too x:-)