Wolston, Warwickshire
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Tis The Season To Be Busy !

5/8/2013

11 Comments

 
It's wedding season! I know this because my Facebook newsfeed is full of photos of friends of friends' weddings, and more importantly because I have had TWO orders in the last fortnight! Woop! I've also been working on the beginnings of a bridal collection...

Swift (Com)missions !

I thought I'd left my deadline days back in The City, but it turns out I still get a kick out of a rapid turnaround, and frankly it's a lot more fun working under pressure when it's something you enjoy doing! Thank goodness for the S/S Collection - not only does it help customers to choose if they're not sure exactly what they're after, but it's so much faster to complete a new order when the design element of the hat is complete and it's just a matter of tweaking the existing template!

Laced Up #1


The first commission was a five day turnaround - Becky wanted Laced Up #1 in cream tangled sinamay with some additional feathers to style into her outfits for two separate weddings.

The second wedding is in the States, so those photos to follow next time, but for those of you flying to weddings in fairer plains wondering whether or not to hat, it would seem that carrying a chic hat box may significantly increase your chances of an upgrade ;) (And I suspect a baby bump probably also helps!!) ;)

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Becky looking bloomin' marvellous in her hat at Wedding Number 1...
Two feather mounts (natural guinea fowl and cerise stripped hackle) sit under another wire, mounted within the hat, so that they're interchangeable.

Blackberry Sorbet

The next commission was also 5 days but this time I managed to make it from consultation to delivery in two days flat!! Mary had a gorgeous floral dress and wanted something bright and fun to top off her look.
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She chose Strawberries and Cream in acid green with a purple tangled sinamay bow.
Blackberry Sorbet: Strawberries & Cream in acid green sinamay button and curls, with purple tangled sinamay bow (colour matched to dress)
And the icing on the cake is that she was so pleased with the finished article that she's very kindly helped to set up a meeting for me with the shop responsible for the dress (and her fabulous shoes!) - I'm visiting the beautiful Coco Rose in Warwick on Friday - (purple) fingers crossed...! ;)
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Bridal Beginnings

I'm hoping to exhibit at Perfect Brides' Wedding Fair at St Johns Hotel, Solihull, on 8th September, so it's all about bridal for the next month!

This white sinamay button is still a work in progress, but I love how the irridescent beads catch the light like tiny bubbles :)
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The subtle sparkle makes it pretty versatile season-wise I think, I can imagine this little hat being just as at home on a winter bride as a summer one. Just the silk lining to do and it's ready for its close up! Completed photos to follow next time!

Daisy Daisy has been on display in Susan Graley's gorgeous bridal boutique for 6 weeks, so it was time to ring the changes. This nude silk and white sinamay button is simple but chic, and is currently in pride of place in the window :)

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Cupid: Nude silk and white sinamay button with
nude arrow quills and pearl bead wire brooch


Finally, if you're stuck inside in this rather unwelcome rain this evening, why not pop over to Handmade Monday and see what everyone else is up to.

See you in a fortnight kids, who knows what colour my fingers will be by then..!!
11 Comments
Louise @Elsie May and Bertha link
5/8/2013 06:58:04 am

Beautiful hats! I especially love the simplicity of the last one.

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Ellie Johnson link
18/8/2013 03:36:19 am

Thanks Louise :) I know what you mean, sometimes simple really is best - there's a place for going bananas, don't get me wrong, but a bit of understated chic never goes amiss ;)

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Lucy Blossom link
5/8/2013 04:46:48 pm

I love the hats you made, and I particularly like the slight sparkle of one of your bridal hats. It's always great to get commissions - I also like to create orders as quickly as possible.

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Ellie Johnson link
18/8/2013 03:38:23 am

Ah thanks Lucy! Yes so exciting!! I always think it's best tbh, things often take me longer than I anticipate too (although I'm getting better at being more realistic!), so the sooner I get started the less likely a panic!

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Lilly's Mom link
6/8/2013 04:07:21 am

These hats are truly amazing. I love the addition of the precious feathers.

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Ellie Johnson link
18/8/2013 03:40:19 am

Thank you Pat! I'm a feather fanatic - silk will always be my first love, but a couple of spectacular feathers can make such a difference I think!

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Free Spirit Designs link
6/8/2013 08:58:01 pm

I admire you for working so well under pressure - i tend to go to pieces a bit!

Your latest wedding hat looks soooo pretty on its new owner, i'm sure your American customer will be just as happy with hers :)

Good luck with your prep for the wedding fair! x

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Ellie Johnson link
18/8/2013 03:42:17 am

Ha it's tempting occasionally to be frank, but I think I'm one of those people that gets a bit of a bizz from pressure really, plus it really makes you just get on with it! ;) Ah thanks, I'll pass the compliment on too! :) She wore it in America too with a different dress and looked equally fabulous :)

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Simmi Duffin link
9/8/2013 09:38:47 pm

Ohhh I love them all!!!! I have a fascinator to make this week for a very demanding client and I'm bricking it - she knows exactly what she doesn't work (not too big, no feathers, not too showy-offy, not grey (base colour of the dress) next to her hair, nor cerise (the other main colour in the dress) as her hair is grey and her face goes very pink in the heat! I'm terrified!!! Simmi xx

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Ellie Johnson link
18/8/2013 03:44:56 am

:) Thanks! Oooh tricky!! What did you do in the end? It's sometimes easier to pin down what you don't want, but does it mean that (apart from these conditions) you've got free rein design wise? :D

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Simmi Duffin link
9/8/2013 09:40:49 pm

Oops - I meant to add - best of luck with the shop!!!

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