Grace and Firefly Designer Feature:

About Grace and Firefly:

After 5 years working as a visual merchandiser for a large home furnishing company, I decided to spend more time on my own creations. I always loved collecting fabric and buttons and while I was trying to find a good use for all of my buttons, I discovered the joy of making button jewellery. Now, I also teach a Button Jewellery Taster class and Beginners Metal Clay at the London Jewellery School as well as making my own pretty things. To fulfil my passion for both sewing and jewellery making, I extended my range from tote bags, little cute purses to button jewellery and also fine silver jewellery, all the cute accessories that every girl needs!

Inspirations:

I love shabby chic style and sweet Japanese accessories. I also take inspiration from anything around me and sometimes I find the best designs come from trial and error, which can often lead to something quite unique and different.

Best Sellers:

My best seller is the mini polka dot coin purse. It’s very popular for the wedding season as they are brilliant as gifts for the bridesmaids. I found a variety of mini polka dot fabrics and cotton lace trimming when I visited my parents in Taiwan and just instantly fell in love with them. Button jewellery is quite popular too, children love it because of the bright colours, and adults love it because it’s something a little different.

We Make Christmas:

There will be lots of coin purses, clutches and tote bags made from Japanese fabric and contemporary print, such as Amy Butler and Michael Miller along with some jewellery made from buttons and fine silver. I’m also very excited about my “Sew Many Times” ring. The design won second prize during the Art Clay UK Conference 2010 in the ring category which had a theme of "Past Times".

Websites:

www.graceandfirefly.co.uk

http://www.smallbagbigheart.etsy.com

http://www.smallbuttonbigheart.etsy.com

http://www.graceandfirefly.blogspot.com

Follow Us On Twitter:

http://twitter.com/graceandfirefly

Follow Us on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/graceandfirefly

Designer Spotlight- Yumptatious

Emma loves to sew. Her items include bags, purses, brooches, sock monkeys and much more.

Emma wants her work to make people smile as well as fulfilling a purpose.

‘I make all my products in a flurry of excitement and enthusiasm! Working within the confines of my kitchen, I start with an idea but let the ideas flow: I quite often end up with a piece quite different to the one I intended to do: it's one the perks of working for yourself! I tend to make 4 items at the same time, which allows me to try out different ideas whilst stopping 'yumptatious' from being too sporadic! I prefer to use natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, sturdy fabrics that are wonderful to use but are tough enough to withstand day-to-day use’

Waiting For We Make Christmas:
Emma is currently working on some new brooches, perfect for brighten up your winter coats. Emma is also working on a great new range of aprons to protect those Christmas outfits while cooking your wonderful Christmas dinner.

Can’t Wait for We Make Christmas:
Check out Yumptatious online shop http://www.yumptatious.etsy.com/. Its full of pretty items that are just perfect for those extra special gifts.

Designer Spotlight- Laurafallulah

Laura has always had a passion for fashion and textiles. Growing up, Laura dreamed of being a fashion designer and could often be found sketching dreamy fairytale dresses. Laura then went on to study textiles at college and university.

‘I am inspired by colour, pattern and nature. Personally I like things which are individual and a bit quirky so I try to bring this to my designs.’

Laura is constantly looking online, in magazines and shops for inspiration, therefore keeping up with current fashion trends. Laura also keeps a scrapbook of colour samples, fabric swatches and images. Using the materials themselves as inspiration.

Waiting For We Make Christmas?
Laura’s most distinctive design is her simple rose. Available in brooches, purses, shoes and various styles of bags. It is inspired by her favourite flower.

‘I then stylised into a simplified version and stitched onto felt. I was also really influence by my love of traditional American style tattooing, I love the bright coloured simple 50s roses. It is bought by all sorts of people, people who love flowers, people who love vintage design or simply people who love colour and pattern.’

For We Make Christmas Laura is working on felt Christmas decorations inspired by 60’s and 70’s decorations. Laura is also working on some new styles of bags.

Can’t Wait For We Make Christmas?
If you can’t wait to pick up one of Laura’s fantasic designs then check out her online shop laurafallulah.etsy.com. Laura’s designs can also be found in various boutiques and shops.

Designer Spotlight- Big Blue Bed

Alix loves working with different fabrics and yarns to create stunning purses, bags, buttons and hair accessories.

‘Fabrics and yarn talk to me. I love to hold them and feel it and imagine what it could be. I love colour and texture. So most of my items are colourful. ’

Alix also enjoys knitting. She has a pretty range of scarfs and cuffs. Colour is a big influence in Alix’s designs with bright coloured wools, yarns, fabrics.

Waiting for We Make Christmas?
Alix is currently working on a new and exciting project., Dorset Buttons.

‘These are a traditional button that was made before the Industrial revolution. It is a beautiful button that can be any colour and used to decorate many items or just as a button.’

Alix sells these by themselves, in sets, attached to snap clips and also bobby pins. They take quite a bit of work but Alix loves the tiny stitches that are needed to make them.

Alix is also working on some new matching bags and purses.

Can’t Wait For We Make Christmas?
Check out Alix’s online shops. They are full of colourful, fresh designs. Lots of items that will make perfect gifts. bigbluebed.etsy.com and bigblueknits2tog.etsy.com

Designer Spotlight- Peppermint Twist

Araine loves sewing, working mainly in leather her purses are meticulously hand-crafted to create stunning designs.

Araine takes her inspiration from vintage Hollywood glamour of the 40s and 50s, as well as 60s-70s movies.

‘I use mostly leathers, the nappa (lamb) variety, as it supper soft and has a great textural feel. It also ages well, so my purses should last a long while. More recently, I have been working with fabrics such as denim, fleece and velvet/cords.’

Common features on Araine’s purses are appliqués of horses, ponies, hearts and doves, star-shaped cut-outs, punched motifs, and studded decorations.

Waiting For We Make Christmas?

Ariane is working on some new ranges, including her studded range and jersey range. She is very excited about some new and exclusive designs that will not be seen until 6th December.

Can’t Wait For We Make Christmas?

Ariane’s Etsy shop www.peppermintdesigns.etsy.com is full of peppermint goodness, with a purse for every occasion you won’t be disappointed.