Monday Makes: Bespoke Bridal Comb

Over the weekend I've been trying to work out which of my planned posts (I say planned - they're not written yet) would be best to kick start the blog with.  I've decided to go with a Monday Makes and a rather special bridal comb.  Firstly, because I love Monday Makes, and secondly because this comb has been so popular since I first shared pictures of it last Summer. 

Taking bespoke orders was really tricky last year.  Juggling a little one, going to work and the weekly orders is tough enough.  Bespoke orders take a lot of time.  And it's not just the physical time of making, working designs out, taking photographs, sending e-mails and meeting brides.  It's also the mental time, and the worry that I what I make won't be right or perfect enough.  The worry is the most exhausting.

So I had to ask my brides to be patient, to meet in my living room when I my studio was too messy to welcome clients and I hadn't had the time to tidy up.  Luckily I have lovely, understanding brides and several still came to visit last year, one of which was Laura, who came knowing exactly what she wanted - she just hadn't seen it yet!

As a designer these words can be terrifying.  And yet they're also the most exciting.  When brides ask for something different, something even they haven't seen then they'll always be a chance you'll get it wrong but when you get it right, it feels great!

I sat with Laura and we talked about her hairstyle, where she wanted her comb to fall and picked out flower buttons, pearls and leaves to put together a rough design.  She wanted a comb that would trail around her hair.  It needed to be noticeable, pretty and elegant. 

I promised Laura a series of images throughout the design process.  I think this was to keep both of us happy.  I didn't want to get it wrong and wanted to make sure Laura was informed throughout.  Each time I sent an image she asked me to carry on and thankfully, she loved the final comb!  Hurrah!

I don't normally do this, but I thought it would be of interest to see how the design took shape.  So here are some of Laura's design images:

Laura also sent me this fabulous image just after the wedding!  It shows exactly how the comb trails around the hair, just as Laura had asked.

Laura had a beautiful wedding with some of the best Norfolk wedding talent around, including Katherine Ashdown Photography and Styling from The Little Lending Company.  Her beautiful bridal look was created by Love Moi Make-Up and Hair by Tracey Ward.  If you'd like to see more from Laura and Mike's stunning day (you really do need to) then head over to Katherine Ashdown Photography's blog to see their 'Favourite Five Moments'.

I'll leave you with this stunning professional image which I adore.  I can never take pictures that really show off my pieces and this one has received so much amazing feedback on my facebook page.  In fact so much that this evening I'm starting on a design for a 2016 bride, inspired by this very piece, and I can't wait!

Image Courtesy of Katherine Ashdown Photography

If you're looking for a bespoke bridal piece please don't hesitate to get in touch.  I'm based in Norfolk and my home studio is now open again - no more living room consultations!

Melissa

x

We're Back!

Hello all and welcome to my little space of the internet.  You may have seen, I haven't posted in over a year and to remind me of this fact the previous post is called 'Hello February' (2015).  Just fab.

I love the idea of blogging, I really do.  Part of my degree is in creative writing, so a little outlet where I can log my musings with the written word, well it's perfect really.

Only it can be so difficult to fit it all in, as I'm sure so many of you will know.  If you're reading this and you're one of my friends or family, or if you follow my facebook or instagram, you will know what I've been up do in the last 18 months.  It's called parenthood.  And yes, I did manage to blog for the first few months of Ted's life but then I went back to work. Like all big changes, it took some adjusting and balancing and tweaking of how we work as a family, to make sure we all had the time to do what we need to get done.

But here we are.  All tweaked and adjusted (I think).  I've spent 2016 making some changes to my business and I think I've finally worked out what this blog will be for, and how it will work with my other platforms.

So for now, here is my cheeky little monkey (taken at nursery, in November).  Yes, he is adorable.  And whilst I don't want to call him an 'excuse', I'm sure his cheeky grin will be enough to help you understand why it's been quiet!

Melissa x

Photo Credit: Tracey Lorraine Photography

Hello February!

I like February.  Cold it may be, but it's pleasant and positive.  Everyone has been paid, we no longer feel so rubbish about the Christmas pounds we've put on, the evenings take a little longer to darken and little spikes of fresh green start to push out from the ground, reminding us that Spring is only just around the corner.  And then of course, there's  the St Valentine traditions, which, I'm not ashamed to say, I absolutely love!

I never managed to write a post on my 2014 highlights or on my plans for this year, even though I wanted to.  At the beginning of January I was far too busy enjoying my wonderful new family.  And let's be honest, my 2014 highlight is pretty obvious, so I doubt you'd discover anything new!

So here's a challenge I've set myself instead, to write a post at the beginning of each month with our plans for those few weeks.  To keep me focused AND to keep you updated on what you can expect from MMD in the upcoming month.

So here's what we have planned for February:

1.  A SALE!

Yep, we're having a clear out and I've found a box of bits I'd totally forgotten about that are doing nobody any good gathering dust on my shelf. The sale will be on Sunday 8th February and will be mainly headdresses, pins etc.  Certainly a date for your diaries!

This vintage gold and pink headdress will be on SALE! 

2.  New Decoden  Pieces

Last year you loved our decoden combs and recently we've discovered some gorgeous suppliers of miniature flowers and birds.  Look out for copper hairslides and golden necklaces, all inspired by this trend.

Pretty decoden combs

3. New Jewellery Items

I've got lots of pieces planned for this year.  In February we'll be adding some different colours to our flower stud range and updating an old favourite!

Our pink rose earrings

4. New Bridal Ranges

My very favourite!  I've already shared a few sneak peeks on facebook, but there's lots more to see, including a freshen up of our bridal jewellery and easier ways to buy.  Hopefully we'll have lots of this available by the end of February.  Make sure you keep up to date on our facebook page!

One of the new comb designs

Wishing you all a fabulous February!

Melissa
xx

Monday Makes: Bespoke Bridesmaid Collection

You may remember that last year I blogged about a series of bridal bracelets that I had made (if not, have a nosey here).  One of those bracelets was for our bride Gwen, who got in touch after ordering one of our bridal headbands.  Gwen wanted a bracelet to match and I was only too happy to help her out with a custom design.

Gwen also wanted something special for her bridesmaid.  Gwen lived further away, so it wasn't possible for her to visit the studio.  This isn't always a problem though, as Gwen was able to let me know the styles she liked and I was able to send her images of pieces I'd made that I thought she would like and of the sparkly materials in my collection that I could use.

I always offer to remake or redesign pieces as many times as needed to get the designs right for my clients (although I'm very proud to say that this is something I rarely have to do).  Gwen loved the floral comb that I designed.  It was made with a central diamante flower button, co-ordinating diamante leaves and was then surrounded with more diamante shapes and twists of beautiful, clear Swarovski crystals.  Such a glamorous, glitzy piece!

To finish the bridesmaid's look I made a simple Swarovski pendant and matching earrings, using the same sparkly crystals and some diamante rondelles.

This is a really pretty set and as I write I'm already thinking about how I can adapt it for a new collection piece.  What I particularly like is the potential this has to be worn for other events, like balls and proms.  Sparkle never goes out of fashion!

Congratulations to you for your wedding Gwen, we hope both bride and bridesmaid had a magical day!

Melissa

xx

Gorgeous Gifts and Special Friends

I'm taking a break from pearls and sparkle today to talk to you about some rather fabulous gifts we received over the festive period.  We are always so lucky at Christmas to be gifted beautiful things (I can't remember the last time I got something I didn't like) but this year there were a few personal things that are really quite special.  They would all make wonderful gifts for your loved ones, especially if you're looking for unique and original wedding or anniversary presents.  I'm so pleased with them all and wanted to share them with you so you can see too.  And of course, as a thank you to the wonderful businesses and friends behind them.

Just before Christmas it was Mr. Morgan's birthday (a special one, although I don't think I'm permitted to reveal which).  Our plan was to have a family shopping trip so he could stock up on some new clothes but I also wanted to get a special gift for him to unwrap in the morning.  I struggled to think of something and I then left it very late, mainly because I'm so indecisive and I was finding it difficult to put my head in 'male mode'.  I knew what I would appreciate, but would he like the same things?  After toying with the idea of printed song lyrics, or a map graphic of our favourite place, I found these personalised memory prints from Milly's Cottage on Not on the High Street.  It didn't take me long to think of some of the special events in our relationship to have transformed into a print and so as soon as Mr. M went to work the next day, I got busy with my order.  I can't recommend Milly's Cottage enough.  I left it really late to send in my order and then decided to upgrade to a larger print at the last minute, but they were so accommodating.  When Mr. M opened his present he was lost for words.  I had imagined it would go in our bedroom, but no, within minutes he had his hammer out and now it takes pride of place in our hallway.  It's such a lovely reminder of all the memories we have made together so far.  

The next gift was actually another of Mr.M's birthday presents!  We have a super friend called Amy Lewin (you may have heard of her, she's the lady behind Amy Lewin Photography).  Amy has an equally super husband called Andy.  Now Andy is a rather talented designer and is the man behind these awesome personalised 'mini-pop' prints:

He made this one of Mr. M, me and our two black cats, Leonard and Sheldon, and gifted us an amazing framed and mounted version as moving in present.  It stands on my piano in our dining room, and we both simply love it.  However, you will be aware, we have a new addition!  And so the clever Andy made this even more amazing, new version for Mr. M.  Can you spot how cute little Ted has squeezed himself into centre stage?  It was Mr. M's gift, but I was really touched too.  What a smashing present!

You can find out more about Andy's mini-pops and how to order one here. 

So now you've seen how talented Andy is, this is where Amy comes in! 

Not long after Ted was born, she popped by with her camera and got a few snaps of him looking scrummy in his stripy cardi and knitted hat.  She sent me a pic, which I loved but I had no idea she'd ordered it to be printed as a fabulous acrylic block for Christmas.  It's gorgeous and once again, we all absolutely LOVE it!  It's the first picture we have of Ted on display, and is just so special! 

It's pretty cool having such a brilliant photographer as a friend, but Amy is so much more than that.  Since I've had Ted she's been amazing, bringing us copious amounts of delicious food and thoughtful gifts and she always being there when I need a chat.  Thank you Amy.

Please stop by Amy's website and blog to find out more information about her services.  She does some awesome wedding and lifestyle photography.

Personal gifts are definitely the way forward and it's so lovely to be able to look up and see these presents throughout the day.  They remind us of our happy little family, and what special friends we have.  I highly recommend you think about something personal next time you have a gift to give!

Melissa

xx

Monday Makes: Vintage Pastel Flower Comb

When I started my maternity leave last Summer, I had a making drought, so to speak.  There were orders coming in and bespoke pieces to make but I'd lost my 'mojo' for making new pieces.  I spent the first part of last year buying copious amounts of vintage treasure, and putting in place some grand plans for what could be created.  And I'd been so excited to use my last few months before Ted arrived making new pieces.  Maybe it was the tiredness of pregnancy, but whenever I got some free time, I just wanted to put my feet up, close my eyes and sleep!

I needed to snap out of it, and so planned a special week where I would make at least one new thing everyday.  I decided that it could be anything, a bracelet, some earrings, something big or something small.  The rule was that I had to use pieces I already had in my making stash.  NOTHING was to be purchased to complete these makes.

Today's 'Monday Makes' showcases the first of these pieces, a comb that was made on the first day of the project.  I wish I'd taken a picture of the 'ingredients' of this comb, but I didn't think about it at the time.  You'll just have to take my word for it that before I started on this piece, I had laid out before me a gold and pastel vintage bracelet, some luscious shades of Swarovski, peachy vintage leaf beads and a few opal vintage tube beads.  

I spent the day wiring, re-wiring, arranging and re-arranging the pile and then started work on this splendid gold tone comb.  I took inspiration from the delightful AB hues of the bracelet pieces and added co-ordinating crystal flowers, hand wired from Swarovski xilions.  There are more vintage flourishes - golden leaves and iridescent tube beads and finally some sprays and twists of extra delicious Swarovski.  Can you tell I love this piece? 

I adore colour and this floral comb is as colourful as they come. I think it would make a great accessory for a vintage/pastel/garden themed wedding.  Maybe there's a daring bride who wants to add some colour to their outfit?  Perhaps it would make the perfect finishing touch for the chief bridesmaid or mother of the bride?   It would certainly be a talking point and what's more, could be worn again and again!

It's not always easy for me to get pictures of my pieces being worn, especially the one-off creations like this one, so I was over the moon when Love Moi Make-Up contacted me to see if I could loan some combs for an upcoming shoot.  I think it looks stunning in this relaxed up-do!

Image: All About Image  Make-Up: Love Moi Make-Up  Hair:Tracey Ward

If you love this comb too, it's available to purchase here.

Melissa

xx

Monday Makes: Holly's Headdress

I'm very excited about the first 'Monday Makes' post of 2015 (indeed my first post of 2015, our end of year posts are running a little late, but they are coming, I promise).  This week is dedicated to one of the prettiest vintage headdresses I think I've made. 

This piece was a little labour of love and was made just after my studio was finished and I was sorting and organising all my bits and pieces.  I started to play and before long I had a little pile of silvery pieces that I wanted to transform into an original headdress.  A combination of vintage brooches, silver leaves and flowers, seed beads, bugle beads and Swarovski pearls all came together to make this headdress.  I spent several afternoons working on it, adding a bit, leaving it for a while, then adding a bit more, until I was happy that something beautiful had been created.

Not long after its completion we had a wonderful day at King's Lynn Wedding Festival, where this piece took pride of place on our new stand layout.  I was so pleased when it got so much attention, and I think there were several ladies who had their eye on it, but Holly got there first!   It was great chatting to Holly about her wedding plans and we spent quite a bit of time at the fair, discussing her accessory needs and picking out complimentary pieces for her bridesmaids.  Holly decided to have the band finished in the tiny silver seed beads that feature in the design, and then commissioned a matching jewellery set too.  That's one of the great things about having your wedding accessories handmade, you can make sure everything co-ordinates, even if you pick a one-off design like Holly.

Holly also had pieces for her bridesmaids and flowergirl, which I'll be sharing with you in a few weeks time.  For now, here is a stunning picture that Holly sent us, from her big day in August.  Doesn't she look beautiful?  The dress is simply amazing and all of her photos really have the 'wow' factor!

Congratulations Holly!

Photo courtesy of Paul Macro Photography

I'm looking to make some pieces similar to the style of Holly's in the next few months (but not the same, our vintage pieces are always one-offs) but if in the meantime, you think you'd like to commission something similar, please e-mail melissamorgandesigns@sky.com and we can chat about your ideas!

Melissa 

xx

MONDAY MAKES: Introducing Ted...

All too often I read small business blogs that begin with apologies for not posting for a while (I'm guilty of it too) and this year I really wanted to escape this.  During the Summer, I started a regular series of posts entitled 'Monday Makes', which I kept up, even when other planned posts got left by the wayside for a while.  And just when I thought I was winning at blogging, my world turned upside down.

My last post was on Monday 22nd September, and it had been a interesting (read upsetting and distressful) day.  I was nine days overdue and that morning I'd been to hospital because I'd thought my waters had broken.  I'd then been sent home because apparently I was wrong.  As I'm sure you can imagine, I was getting tired, anxious, impatient etc.  I'd thought that the day had come, only to have my hopes dashed.  To be honest, I felt rather foolish.  I cried ALL morning.

I won't go into to the details, but it turns out my hind waters had broken, I should never have been sent home, as they continued to leak into the next night and by the time I got to see a doctor on the evening of  the 23rd, this had been happening for forty eight hours.  I'd gone back in to be checked again, and this time we were told we wouldn't be leaving without a baby.

 I spent a night on the ward before Mr. M returned and induction began. Then there was a whole day hooked up to various drips and monitors before it was decided that my little boy didn't want to budge and wasn't coming out the 'natural' way.  At around 11pm on 24th September I was taken in for a Cesarean section and just after midnight on 25th September, Theodore Peter Morgan (affectionately known as Ted) entered the world.  

We weren't allowed home until the Saturday.  And then I wasn't able to do a great deal for six weeks because of the surgery.  This was fine when Mr. M was still at home, but when he returned to work the enormity of motherhood smacked me in the face.  Day one was fine, but on day two Mr. M returned from work at lunchtime to find us still in the bedroom, I'd not managed to wash or eat and I was exhausted.  Ted had found his lungs and learnt how to use them!  

Those next few weeks were challenging for the whole family.  So many times we'd been told that babies spend most of the day sleeping, that they would only cry for a reason etc. etc.  And yet as soon as we told anyone about our little lad who DIDN'T sleep and who DID cry for no apparent reason, everyone suddenly changed their minds and told us this was normal!  But, they added, it would get better by about week ten.  And they were, thankfully, right.  Somewhere around Ted's second month on this Earth, we all learnt to get along.  I'm not sure whether it was Ted adjusting to us, us adjusting to him, or more likely, a bit of both.  

And so there you have it, above is my 'excuse' for not posting for nearly three months. I'm sure you'll agree, as excuses go, they don't come much better!  The combination of disturbed nights, dirty nappies, vomit covered jumpers and uncontrollable tears, is hard, and everything I used to do, now takes at least three times as long!  But I'm not complaining.  This year I've been blessed with the opportunity to fall in love all over again and I'm enjoying it very much indeed!  Every time I look at my little man my heart swells up with so much love it feels like it might burst and I know Mr. M feels exactly the same.  Our little Ted is perfect and we are very, very lucky.

Whilst I've managed to keep up with orders, make new products and just about deal with the Christmas rush (obviously, being on maternity leave has helped) blogging has had to take a back seat. Now things have calmed down and I've decided to give it another bash. I knew there was only one possible 'Make' I could post about today, the very best thing we've made so far! 

I'm not particularly keen on sharing every last detail of our family life through the blog, or any social media, and it was a big decision for me to share some photos of our beloved boy.  However, I know some of you are keen to see and so I decided to dedicate this post to our wonderful new addition, and in the process allow a little peek into our new world.  

He's pretty special, don't you think? 

Melissa 

xx

Monday Makes: Bridesmaid Leaf Necklaces

For today's Monday Makes we're going back to a theme I visited in the very first Monday Makes Post - bridesmaid jewellery.  If you haven't read that first post, all about these beautiful bespoke and personalised acorn necklaces, you can find it here.

Our bride Karla commissioned these unique, autumnal acorn necklaces for her lucky maids. 

Every time I share a picture of Karla's bridesmaid necklaces I get a huge response.  I think it's something to do with the love us Brits have with glorious, autumn days and the beautiful golden colours.  Woodland creatures and natural forms seems to have a special enchantment at the moment!

I also think they're very popular because they look so pretty together in the photograph, three matching necklaces, almost the same, that will no doubt add something special and personal to the bridesmaid's outfits.   It really is a great idea to have some bridesmaid jewellery made for your specially chosen attendants.  Dresses can be tricky to chose, when you have to accommodate different tastes, sizes and shapes whilst also making sure your maids are dolled up to suit your own wedding day style, but having them tailor made can be very expensive.  Many brides now opt for high street dresses to save pennies, which I do believe is a wonderful idea, and if you finish them off with some bespoke jewellery, you can make the high street into something unique that truly reflects the style that you are trying to create for your big day.

Lydia got in touch when she was looking for bridesmaid jewellery to add that special something to her bridesmaids outfits.  She really liked this piece, which was a one off I'd sold some time ago.

Necklace with wooden pearl, gold tone leaf and butterfly.

 Lydia wanted this in silver and so I began the hunt for charms and leaves that would recreate this piece for her bridesmaids in shimmering silver tones.  Unfortunately I couldn't get exactly the same charms, but with the wonders of the internet I was able to send Lydia images of the pieces I could use, with options for her to chose from, effectively allowing her to 'build' her own design.  We finished the necklaces with luxurious Swarovski pearls in crystal white. 

The final design was completely unique to Lydia and her maids, something you just can't get from the high street!

One of my favourite parts of large orders is wrapping them!  I love seeing the pieces all prepared in their boxes, and then tied up with ribbons.  I can't help but think about who might open them, or when or where they might be revealed.  This is especially true of wedding party pieces, as they are often given on the morning of a wedding, adding to the sparkle and magic of the day.

This is also another wonderful reason to commission bespoke pieces for your bridal party.  As it's tradition to give gifts to your attendants, why not make those gifts part of their ensemble?  What bridesmaid wouldn't want to be given a necklace that has been specifically created for them?  And of course, jewellery like this can be worn again and again, a wonderful reminder and memento of when they played a  part in your perfect day.

If you're thinking of having something unique made for your bridesmaids.  Please don't hesitate to get in touch.  You can reach me via my facebook page or e-mail melissamorgandesigns@sky.com.  I have a lovely home studio in Norfolk, where we can chat about your accessories, or, we can discuss your ideas and designs via e-mail, just like Lydia.

I've seen an image of Lydia on her wedding day, and I can tell you she made a truly beautiful bride, I'm looking forward to seeing her bridesmaids soon too!  

Congratulations Lydia, and thank you for choosing Melissa Morgan Designs.

Melissa

xx

Monday Makes: Bespoke Bridal Bracelets

This week I thought we'd take a break from combs and have a look at the other finishing touches you can make to your bridal outfit.  At Melissa Morgan Designs we help brides with headdresses, combs, hairpins and a full range of jewellery including earrings, necklaces and bracelets.  I've even made hair flowers and boutonnieres in my time! 

Out of all of these, 2014 seems to have been the year for bracelets!  Bracelets are an easy way to finish off your bridal look, as they suit pretty much all dresses.  Necklaces, on the other hand, need to be the right length/style to suit necklines and backs, making choices so much harder.  Many brides (and I was one of them)  leave necklaces alone altogether, but will opt for a little bit of sparkle or pearl (or both) on their wrist.  They make a lovely finishing touch.  My favourite thing about bridal bracelets is that they are easy to wear again, bringing the magic of your wedding day to everyday!

So today I'm celebrating some of the bracelets I've been asked to make this year, starting with Gwen, who got in touch after she'd ordered one of our pearl and diamante bridal bands.  Gwen wanted a bracelet to compliment her headband, with small, delicate beads.  I sent over some photos and also made up a little row of beads to show her my ideas and how they looked next to the band (something I will often do, allowing ladies to personally chose the look of their jewellery).  Gwen loved the design of round Swarovski crystals and pearls, interspersed with diamante rondelle beads.   She also also commissioned a comb and jewellery for her bridesmaid, but that's for another day!

Close-up of Gwen's bridal headband and bracelet

Delicate bridal bracelet made of Swarovski and diamante

Carla was a bride just looking for a bracelet to make the finishing touch to her outfit.  She contacted me after I'd closed the orders for 2014 (we shared wedding and due dates) but I just couldn't resist helping.  I sent her over some images of bracelets I'd made and she fell for a double row version of our popular 'Penelope' design.  This piece fastens with a secure magnetic clasp that Carla, as her piece was made especially for her, was able to chose.  I've had wonderful feedback from Carla.  I hope you like her bracelet too.

Double row bridal bracelet made from diamante rondelles and crystal white Swarovski pearls

Next up is Holly's delicate double row bracelet, made from tiny silver seed beads and Swarovski pearls.  This design was one I made a while ago but (as often is the case) I hadn't really gotten around to making it available.  Eagle eyed Holly spotted it at a bridal fair and loved the tiny silver beads.  Holly also picked one of our vintage headdresses and had the seed beads incorporated into some finishing touches on that too.  In fact, she loved this bracelet so much she comissioned one for each of her bridesmaids and a co-ordinating necklace for herself.  It's fair to say that Holly's order was a mammoth one and I can't wait to blog about it all and share some photos of how beautiful she looked.  It's also made me fall back in love with those delicate beads, so look out for more work with these soon.

Delicate double row bridal bracelet of seed beads and Swarovski pearls. 

The final bracelet wasn't actually for a bride, but a piece commissioned by Michelle for a dear friend.  It was inspired by our bridal pieces (you might note that it's a lot like Gwen's but with slightly larger beads) and just goes to prove that these styles, with their classic pearls and crystals, can be worn for any occasion and make wonderful gifts.  Michelle was happy for me to work with beads I had readily available (this was another quick turnaround) and wanted to incorporate initial charms and a heart into the design.  I felt that with the added charms, the design needed the larger beads, and I'm really happy with how this one turned out.  

Bridal bracelet made with Swarovski AB crystals, white pearls and diamante, initial and heart charms have been added

Thank you to all of the ladies mentioned above who allowed me to help them with their bridal jewellery and gifts.  I loved making the bracelets and I want to wish you all congratulations for your Summer weddings! 

If you're interested in having something made for your 2015 wedding, please don't hesitate to get in touch.  We can discuss designs via e-mail (as many of these brides did), or you can visit my home studio in Norfolk, where we can look together at ready made pieces and all of my pretty beads, to develop your own personal design.  It's not expensive to have bespoke jewellery made for your wedding but it can make you feel really special!

I'm now in the process of developing jewellery collections for next year and I'm using these pieces as a starting point for the designs, with plans for matching necklaces and earrings.  I'd really love to know which of these is your favourite and if you could leave a comment to let me know, it would so helpful!

Thank you!

Melissa

xx

Monday Makes: Lilac Bridal Comb

I love colour.  And I love it when brides decide to inject some life into their bridal attire with a little  colour, whether they go for vibrant, splashes of bright shades, or muted, subtle hues, it always shows a little daring and a lot of personality.

There are many ways to do this.  Some of the easiest are coloured wedding shoes (or even wellies), a showy umbrella, or my current favourite, a bright and cheerful cardigan!  Of course, all of these can be hidden when you want to go for the traditional bridal look, but some brides prefer to be a little more creative.  Our bride Sally got in touch after she'd seen our English Country Garden Headdress on Twitter.  Unfortunately this was a one-off vintage creation that had already sold (a bitter-sweet moment, it was and still is, one of my favourite pieces).  However, Sally came over to the studio so that she could see my collection of colourful brooches and vintage flowers, in the hope that we could recreate a similar design for her upcoming wedding.

One of my favourite vintage designs, image courtesy of Amy Lewin Photography

Sally explained that she wasn't just going for colourful accessories, but a bespoke lilac bridal gown too!  She wanted something to match this and decided that the flowers might not be the right way to go.  Like many, many brides, she was drawn to our Vintage Inspired Bridal Comb.   

By coming to the studio she was able to try our sample, check it fitted in her hair and gain an idea of size.  It ticked all the boxes but it needed some colour!  This is where having your accessories handmade, but a small business, really has its benefits.  We talked about the shades in Sally's dress and I was able to show her the pearls I already had in my (rather large) stock that I thought would match.  We picked out Swarovksi Crystal Pearls in Mauve as a perfect match and so the ever popular design had a little transformation!

The cool lilac tones work really well with the silver and I was really pleased with the result.  Sally commissioned some co-ordinating earrings, finished with the Swarovski white pearl, to complete the look.

And after the wedding she send us a picture of how she styled the comb in this beautiful updo!  I've seen some front shots on twitter too, and believe me, she looked amazing!  

Whether you go for bright colours or something more subtle, using colour is a great way to add some individuality and personality to your wedding day.   If you'd like to commission a bespoke piece (just like Sally) don't hesitate to get in touch.  I welcome visits to the studio and I'm happy to send out colour samples of pearls and crystals so that you can have a perfect match to your wedding colours/theme.  

Congratulations Sally!

Melissa

xx

10 Ways With Washi Tape

A little update...

In the run up to having a baby it's inevitable that you will google almost everything.  From how to swaddle a baby (like a fajita apparently) to whether sausage fingers and stretch marks will disappear after birth (sausage fingers will, but stretch marks we're stuck with).  And when you do this, you nearly always end up on Mumsnet.  Even Mr. Morgan started a conversation last week with  the words, 'You know when you google something about the baby and then end up scanning the mumsnet forums?'  Hmmm, not sure I know of many men who admit to browsing Mumsnet, but I did have to smile at myself, at least by his admission he was googling things about the baby, so he must care!  On my most recent visit to the site, I found that a trending topic was a 'bucket list' of things to do before your baby is born.  Sounded interesting, so I read on.  Most of the things we'd thought of and made sure we'd done, like date nights and short breaks.  Some replies went in for a 'let's scare those naive first time mums' with stories of how you need to enjoy a hot cup of tea now before a toddler takes even this small luxury away from your life!  One of them struck a chord though, and it was the suggestion that in the run up to the arrival it's a good idea to get crafting!

Obviously I love to make and create but even combs and hairpins can lose their shine when you have deadlines to meet.  Making something for yourself, with no pressure, and having the satisfaction of saying, 'I did this,' is really wonderful.  With this in mind I have a few little projects I'd like to get started on, some for the baby, some for me and a few just well, just because.

And this is where my new series of crafting blog posts come in.  They may not always be about jewellery, but I like to think of this blog as a meeting place for my business and personal interests - which are more often than not creative pursuits.  My business has its foundations in craft, so I'm not going to make anymore excuses, just make, and then write about it!




Washi tape was something of a mystery to me when I was first introduced to it by a fellow crafter.  Erm... why would you want coloured masking tape?  Isn't the idea of using sticky tape when wrapping things that you can't see it?  The perfectionist in me thought this was just too messy and not at all something that would take off!

But then I was looking out for something to seal the tissue paper wrap on my jewellery orders. Printed stickers were becoming expensive, and I came back to washi tape, bought some and voila!  It did the job perfectly and prettily!  Faced with several rolls of the stuff I started to explore Pinterest for some more ideas and to my surprise found, that if used in the right way, washi tape really could be of some use!

So here's my first craft post, dedicated to the wonderful washi stuff!  After months of searching for ideas I've picked out my ten favourite washi tape projects.  Most of them are simple and really effective, one or two may be a bit wacky!  This week I'm going to try a few of them out and update you with my results on the next crafty post, so please don't forget to stop by again!

1. Pegs

Really simple, buy some wooden pegs and add a strip of tape along the side.  I'm not sure I have the patience to washi up my whole peg bag but these would look wonderful if you attached a magnet strip to the back and used them as noteholders on the fridge.  They'd make a lovely gift too.

2. Glass Bottles

This one uses a wide washi tape as well as small strips, that I've seen in some craft shops and in abundance on etsy.  A simple whip around with tape and tie of string and you have a pretty stylish table decoration, perfect for your dining room or a relaxed wedding.

3. Mini Bunting

I love this and it has so many uses.  Decorate cards and gift bags, or add to various sized cakes for instant cuteness.  If you're great at baking but not so good with sugar paste then it's a winning idea. 

4. Bicycle 

I imagine this is cheaper than a profesional spray and it will certainly be a talking point.  Not so good if you don't like to stand out and I'm not sure how it would hold up in the rain.

5. Colourful Cords

This is definetly one I will be trying (if only to keep Mr. M off my phone charger).  It's a simple way to brighten up such a mundane object.

6. Greetings Cards

I'm not a fan of too much tweeness on homemade cards (some I've seen are shocking) but washi tape enables you to create such stunning effects so simply.  Here they've used simple strips and a pen to turn make candles, genius!

7. Tealights

Again, something simple, made ultra pretty with a little wrap of tape.  I put tealights in my homemade Christmas crackers this year, and I wish I'd thought of this.  Turns an inexpensive item into a lovely gift and would be great as wedding favours or decoration.

8. Gift Wrap

Much like the cards.  Here just three strips and a doodle make a cake.  How wonderful!

9. Keys

A super idea, especially if your keys all look the same!

10. Pencils

Ahhh, who can't love a pretty pencil?  Another cheap gift/stocking filler idea.  Ideal if you're a teacher looking for unique class gifts, or for party bags!

All images have been collected, with thanks, from Pinterest.  For links to the original sites that are not provided here, please see the Melissa Morgan Design's Pinterest Board 'Things to do with Washi Tape.'  You'll find a few extra ideas there too!

Thank you for reading!

Melissa

xx