Aug 31, 2008

Spotlight- Sakura

Hi and welcome to the start of a new season at WeMake. We will be introducing you to our wonderful designers and their work and to start us off, please met Anna aka Sakura Jewellery. Thank you for stopping by.



www.sakurajewellery.com

As a London solicitor, Anna was becoming increasingly buried in the stresses and strains of life in the corporate world. Anna says:


“My work as a lawyer was interesting in that it provided a technical challenge, but the environment didn't nurture me spiritually and left me very little time to pursue anything creative outside of work. So, I decided it was time for a complete overhaul of not only my career but my life!”


Nowadays designing and making jewellery IS Anna’s day job which gives her plenty of time to concentrate on the important things; her designs. A clear theme running through Anna’s work is nature and she captures the beauty of it throughout her work, be it recreating the essence of flowers and leaves, or working with the natural beauty of a gemstone.


Anna’s business name ‘Sakura’ comes for the Japanese name for cherry blossom, hinting at Anna’s half-Japanese heritage. There is a very Japanese feel to her designs, which shows in the delicate detailing and strong colours.


The Sakura blossom features in her ‘Dew’ necklace a version of which Anna wore at her blessing ceremony (non-legal wedding ceremony) held in Holland back in May of this year. Anna’s love of the colour teal also shines through in this piece.



Waiting for We Make Christmas?

Anna will be bringing along these wonderful gemstone bracelets, along with many more Sakura designs.








These bracelets are even more serene and majestic in real life and you won’t be able to resist picking them up and trying them on.

Can’t wait for We Make Christmas?

Sakura Jewellery is available online through her personal website boutique www.sakurajewellery.com and her etsy store.

Sakura Jewellery features timeless designs in a range of media including silver, ceramics, and natural gemstones. Anna’s designs are unique and stunning and very wearable. Their exquisite classic beauty makes them pieces that can be kept forever and therefore wonderful gifts.


Aug 22, 2008

Sneak Preview

This is a small selection of work from the designers who will be at Wemake Christmas. Do have a look at their individual shops by clicking on an image. Happy browsing!

Aug 1, 2008

We Make Christmas


The next WeMake will be taking place on the 6th of December just in time for all your christmas shopping. More info on the way. Watch this space!

Jul 31, 2008

Wemake London- 22nd June 2008

The first Wemake event took place on the 22nd of June 2008. It was a fun and succesful event and we thank everyone who came to support the event. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.



The participating designers and makers were:

Anac Designs
Angharad
Beads and Baubles
Cathy Cullis
ChickP
Clothcat
Creamrose
daintyprettythings
Delavalle
Elin Thomas
Feltbug
Ginger Flamingo
Greygoat
Hedge witches kitchen
Laurafallulah
Lazy Giraffe
Littlemisscrafty
Lovealittle
MadebyCara
millimoomi
namolio
Natty Jewels
notes
pinkswizzlestick
snapdragonbeads
storeyshop
The Birch tree
urbanknit
witch stitch


Thank you to MomentsbyMartha, Greygoat, Angharad, MadebyCara, niftyknits and Laurafallulah for the use of their images of the event.

Jun 23, 2008

On the day...


Crowd Shot, originally uploaded by All Those Threes.

was a lot of fun. More information and pictures to follow.

Thanks Allthosethrees for the photo

Jun 22, 2008

Its Here!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for stopping by and taking an interest on We Make London. The day has come around and we hope to see you all there.

First ten people through the doors get a free wemake tote!

See you soon!

Jun 16, 2008

Designer Feature- Beadz and baublez

Dinah’s shop is a new addition to the etsy family. Here she reveals a little about life, crafting and stuff….



WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Brentwood
, Essex


WHEN DID YOU FIRST START BECOMING INTERESTED IN CRAFTS?
25 Years ago when I visited Cannes, we came across one of the many tiny market squares off the Rue d’Antibes full of specialist stalls. Some with 100’s of different cheeses other with beautiful linen and lace of every kind. Just at the end, beside the road was an old lady with a little yellow formica table which was covered in dozens of jam jars of all different shapes and sizes which were full of tiny brightly coloured beads in every shade. Ladies of all ages were cluster around taking small spoons of beads and sealing them up in tiny cellophane bags. Well I just had to buy some. I can remember my dad saying what are you going to do with them? To be honest I had no idea at the time but they where just so beautiful.


I never have used those particular beads, but from that day on I was hooked and to this day I still sell embroidery beads from beautiful glass jars by the spoonful.


GREATEST INFLUENCES?
Walking around the West End, Magazines from abroad and Italian trade shows


GREATEST PROBLEM YOU’VE OVERCOME?
Sourcing original and different beads and products from abroad to keep ahead of trend in the UK.


WHAT PIECE OF WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
The bespoke pieces made to match someone’s dress that they have been hunting for, for ages.


WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT ON SELLING THEIR GOODS?
Always make sure you build in a proper profit so you are not working for nothing! Just because it’s handmade doesn’t make it cheap, people need to realise that one off pieces take time and cost money.


WHICH 4 PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE AS WEEKEND GUESTS – AND WHY?
My best friend Pat(and Paul) –As we never get to meet up anymore

My Dad(died 22years ago) – Just to say Hello

Hugh Grant – Not the worst person to spend an evening with if you know what I mean

Jack Dee – The funniest guy!

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED?
My Grand-daughter Rosie.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE?
Current reading, A bridal accessories book, A book on FengShui, Glass of water, Hand Cream and my Venetian Glass earrings (of course)

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU?

To the Point. My best friend often says that she would never ask me a question unless she was prepared for the truth!

NEW YORK OR BARBADOS?
Barbados


FERRARI OR MINI?
Mini


EASTENDERS OR HOLLYOAKS?
Eastenders


CHOCOLATE OR CHAMPAGNE?
Chocolate every time


IF YOU COULD ONLY ACCESS 3 WEBSITES, WHICH WOULD THEY BE?

Flickr, Etsy and Numerous Bead sites, so not just three really! Oops