The end, The beginning

Well, suffice to say, after writing this post I never fully got my mojo back.  

Jewellery by Vanya has come to a natural end so last week I closed the shop for good. 

Living in a vibrant city and working in a creative industry was a dream, memories were made that I will cherish for life.  I am so so thankful to all of you who supported my business along the way, thank you for all the purchases, thank you for the sweet emails and cards, thank you for spreading the word, thank you for the extra special commissions.  Just, thank you.

The beginning? This Summer I will become a mum, an even bigger challenge to look forward to, filled with, well that I will find out soon enough.

Colin and I are already in love with this tiny wriggly creature in my belly and I cannot wait to welcome him/her into this world, full of opportunity.

xxx

Artwork above from Freya's etsy shop.

Books to be Inspired by

I was in Covent Garden on Friday buying jewellery making supplies so I popped into Magma.  Nearly an hour later and two new books in my arms I left feeling happy and inspired.

 

The first book is exactly what I've been after, Paper & Cloth:Ready-to-Use Background Patterns is basically a CD (and book showing whats what) full of, well, ready to use background patterns.  Choose from paper, label, tape, and lace files (among many others) to layer up collage stylee.  Hopefully you may see my efforts in the near future!

The second was a bit of a naughty purchase really as it has nothing to do with work and I should be saving my pennies for my upcoming holiday (more of that in another post).  I am addicted to books about interior decoration/style, as I live in a shared flat all I can do is dream at the moment but anyways, this is a goodun.  Milk Deco no. 4 is from the people behind the cult French magazine.  This latest issue is full of stylish family homes from around the world mixing materials, colours and eras creating the homey, lived in vibe that I really love.

Happy Valentine's Day by the way.  If you celebrate the day (I know lots of couples don't these days-including my boyfriend and I) I hope it's been a good one.  I had a lot of male customers last week so to those of you who opened Jewellery by Vanya gifts today-I hope you like them!

xxx

Sunday Upmarket Stall Display

Clockwise from top left lace curtains, floral bows, doily diy, mirror, posy's sofa, bird embroidery

To date I've only taken part in one small craft show which I loved doing so thought I'd aim a bit higher and see what happens, soooo as of this Sunday I will have a stall at the Sunday Upmarket off Brick Lane.  I'm very excited to see my customers in the flesh and gauge all your reactions. 

It's a much bigger stall with an ugly metal frame so I want to make it look beautiful and feminine to represent my jewellery.  I have a few ideas up my sleeve which I won't tell you about just yet, I want it to be a surprise.  Many of them came from the inspiring images above which I have been collecting.  Maybe you can imagine what it will look like.

If you can make it, come by and say hello, i'd love to hear your thoughts.

xxx