Monday 11 June 2012

The Wedding sneak peek; the bridesmaids' jewellery

The days continue to race away and there are now only 47 days until The Wedding. Today I wanted to share with you the Bridesmaids' jewellery which is now finished. For those of you who have not read my post showing my jewellery for my daughter's Big Day have a look here.

For the bridesmaids jewellery we decided to commission my great lamp worker friend, Laney, who sells her gorgeous wares under the name of Izzy Beads. What I love about Laney is that she has 2 wonderful, very different sides to her bead making. She makes fun, whimsical beads, often showing her very naughty sense of humour but she also makes the most glorious "grown up" floral beads. Laney lives in Hereford and we will definitely meet up at some point. I first "met" Laney via Ebay where she started selling her early creations,probably 4-5 years ago now.

I photographed one of the bridesmaids dresses so that Laney could get an idea of colours and she sent me back some glass bead single colours "testers" so that we could get the colours right.



With out giving too much away of the bridesmaids dresses they have a wonderful bold floral pattern on an ivory background.

Laney really got the colours right











I have just photographed the some of the pattern...you will have to wait until after The Day to see the dresses in all their glory. We picked out 4 of the colours and Laney had a few play around with some beads. We had all sorts of ideas...making different colour beads, making different flowers, making some of each colour etc.

Finally we came up with the idea of using a background ivory glass which Laney would make "Cadbury" purple flowers and have a swish of the yellow, green, red and orange. I have seen gorgeous beads Laney has made where she puts cubic zircona's into the flower centres to give a real "wow" sparkle and asked her to add these too. After a couple more size decisions and trials she was ready to make the final beads.

 I was so excited when the parcel arrived in the post. I opened it up and I really did gasp as they really do have that "wow" factor. Take a look at these beauties.
Aren't they stunning!





Here are all 14, I just sat there and stared. You can see how wonderful the CZs are in the centres of the flowers.












They are lentil shaped (round but with flat sides) which sit really well against the skin.

Like my MOTB jewellery I decided to go with a fairly simple design, again using freshwater pearls. This time the pearls are just mid drilled.

So this is what I came up with.






Each bridesmaid will also have a pair of freshwater pearl stud earrings to wear.






Here are the beads in close up.
Each necklace is finished with a sliver heart toggle.







2  weekends ago we had a hair and make up practice with the stylist who will come to get us ready at the Wedding Venue in July. All I will say is that we were really pleased ;0) Everything is really coming together now.  The wedding rings are ordered and  the service has been written. In a few weeks they are having a pre wedding photo shoot which should be fun. I am also making a bracelet for my son's girlfriend with more of Laney's wonderful beads and there are a few other secret things going on, watch this space.

So of course today's card could not be anything other than a wedding card could it!
I have used my favourite Lili of the Valley Wedding couple stamp


I hand coloured it with my trusty Promarkers and highlighted using my Prismacolor pencils. I used some bunting paper from my stash and hand cut some red hearts using a punch. I used really lovely bright red organza ribbon for a bow and added a circular sentiment.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;
Ribbon Girls use ribbon or lace
Totally Gorjuss #135 Sunshine
Penny Black Allsorts All my favourite things my favourite things I have used in my card are my LOTV bride and groom stamp and my lush red ribbon.
Crafters Companion Time to embellish #25
Make it Monday Linky party #93
Cupcake craft Red, white and blue #196




Now I am off to catch some of that missing sunshine. Yes we off on holiday in the morning and I can't wait. Life has been quite hectic for my dear Hb and I recently and we need a break and a boost! I always love to give a clue to where we are going to so here are a couple of photos taken in 2007 when we last visited this spot.




















Tee hee, any ideas where this is??

Take care everyone and see you soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

34 comments:

  1. Oh Jane those beads are amazing and the necklaces you have made are stunning, very clever you!!! :)
    The colours are a perfect match for the fabric and I love the CZ's
    in the centre.
    I have absolutely no idea where you're going but I wish I was going too!! :) Wherever it is have a fantastic time and I'll'see' you soon.
    Vivienne x

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  2. I'm just home from work Vivienne, so it really is holiday time now..yipee. See you soon,
    Jane x

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  3. Dear Jane, you are having now so exiting time with all the wedding preparations! But you need a brake and I can guess you will have the best holidays! Can't locate the place but could be some where near to me. Relax and enjoy your holidays!
    Thank you for joining Nero's give away! x Teje

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  4. You are getting warm Teje ;0) We really do need a break and also to get away from the diabolical weather we are having. See you soon,
    Jane x

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  5. Oh Jane, those bridesmaids dresses look beautiful and the beads are a perfect match! Stunning! Have a lovely holiday, no idea where you're going but it looks gorgeous!
    Victoria xx

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  6. Thanks Victoria, the beads do go so well. My daughter is so pleased with them (thank goodness ;0) I am so looking forward to escaping this awful rain,
    Jane x

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  7. Beautiful, beautiful beads, Jane, I also just stared the pictures on my screen for a while. I love the jewelry you made, the beads are just perfect with simple pearls... I am in love!

    Have a wonderful holiday, dear friend, and get a pretty tan to go with your wonderful dress! I would SO BADLY want go with you too even it's been sunny here today... I am waiting your holiday pictures when you've returned!

    Happy thoughts, dear friend!

    Mia

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  8. Thanks dear Mia, they are such gorgeous beads Laney made. I cannot wait until tomorrow...off to find this long missing sunshine. I shall be back with photos soon,
    Take care,
    Jane x

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  9. beautiful beads jane. Sounds like you are having great fun wedding planning (I think I was more excited than my sister when she got married last year!)
    I am going to guess somewhere in greece for your hols...maybe a greek island like Zakynthos? Am I close?
    fee x

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  10. It's been great fun Fee and we seem to be full steam ahead for the Big Day. You are getting warmer, you are correct about a Greek Island..but it's not Zakynthos ;0)
    See you soon,
    Jane x

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  11. Gorgeous beads and jewellery and your wedding card is so pretty - thanks for joining in with the Ribbon Girl card challenge to add lace or ribbon. Mary G x

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  12. Santorini????
    (sorry - I love a quiz)
    fee x

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  13. STUNNING Beads and the card is Fantastic jane. I saw these Beauties on MIM..Loz

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  14. It's 5am Fee and we are just off and no it's not Santorini either...LOL, have fun guessing and I shall be back soon ;0)
    Bye everyone!!!
    Jane x

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  15. Wow Jane what a beautiful post, the beads are just soooo beautiful so is the card, ooh and I would love to got there too, sick of the rain xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  16. Hi Jane, I've just found your blog on my travels and have become a follower. ALL your creations are fabulous and I look forward to seeing many more.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  17. Very intersting post ..love those beads and awesome photos ..And your card with sweetest wedding couple image and tha lush red bow ..Thanks for sharing on Make it Monday

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  18. wow what you made is so very beautiful and the color is perfect!! I saw your card on ‘Make it Monday’

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  19. Hello Jane..Oh my,the beads are beautiful..I just love them. Your bridesmaids must be so excited!
    Hope you and hubby have a lovely holiday and a chance to recharge those batteries,
    Susan x
    P.S Beautiful photographs!

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  20. Hi Jane, Loved reading your post, those beads are perfect for the fabric shots that you gave. So unique.

    Your card is amazing to, Love the red touches.

    Cheers,
    Kasey ~ in Oz

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  21. Hi Jane

    You're right those beads are just something else - I was completely mesmerized by them!

    Thank your for joining us at Totally Gorjuss this week and the very best of luck. I hope you will be able to come and join in with our challenge next week.

    Toodle pip

    Hazel x

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  22. Wonderful beads, Jane I really love those flowery colours! How pretty they are with the pearls too.
    Wishing you a wonderful holiday....I imagine a Greek island? (but don't know which one). I hope you and your hb have a well earned break and a nice relaxing time :)
    Helen x

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  23. There are going to be some very pretty bridesmaids at this wedding, if this sneak peek is any indication of what's in store- You must be bursting with pride, knowing that your daughter will be the focal point of all this love and beauty!
    Hope you are enjoying a quiet break and recharging for the upcoming excitement! :o)

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  24. Goodness gracious, the beads are gorgeous Jane! I love the patterns that we can spy of the dresses too. OH, the anticipation! I am wishing you a wonderful rest as it seems you and hb are surely working hard. I can't imagine where you are but it sure looks beautiful!

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  25. Wow those beads are beautiful, as are the necklaces you made. I hope you are having a lovely sunny time in ????.....I have no idea, I'll just wait to see are your lovely holiday snaps;) Bethx (the linen cat)

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  26. Wowza! Truly beautiful beads, and you did wonders with them. The bridesmaids will be thrilled when they receive them. I haven't got a clue where you're visiting, but I'll look forward to finding out.

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  27. What a beautiful card! Thanks for joining us at cupcake. keeley

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  28. Gorgeous jewellery, and love your card, I think it is greece somewhere, maybe Zante, saw your card on MIM, Gaynor x

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  29. O M G !! Those beads are indescribably perfect and wonderful! I've never seen lampworked beads with CZs in them and that puts them up to the top level of wonderful! And the way you strung them with pearls and a crystal.. WoW!! Good job you! Can't wait to see them ON the girls!! I do hope you'll share photos of the wedding with us. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  30. Hi Jane,
    I've looked at this post several times. I'm in awe of those special beads and necklaces.
    What a gorgeous accent for the bridesmaid's dresses!!

    I hope you have had a well-deserved break somewhere in Greece. (Maybe Naxos)
    We need to compare travel notes.

    best to you,
    Anne
    PlumCreek22
    etsy

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  31. a beautiful wedding card Jane. Thank you for sharing with us at Penny Black and More.
    clare x

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  32. Gorgeous card (love the beads too), thank you for sharing your favourite things over at Penny Black and More @ Allsorts and good luck x Susan x

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  33. Thanks for joining Penny Black & More @ allsorts challenge with this great entry, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  34. Finally mind and body are almost at one with each other!! WOW is all I can say...I love the mix of CZ beads with the pearls...not long now, I do think about you and wonder where you are in the preparations...soon be your day to sparkle as Mother of the Bride...how exciting xx

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Jane x