Craft Central Gets Hitched 2012 - Amanda Li Hope and Amy Keeper

The aim of these designer features were to shift the focus from the product to the designer themselves as so much emphasis is focused on selling a product as opposed to selling the designer as an individual. I wanted to shoot the designer within the space where all the creativity happens and where everything comes together. It adds a certain humanistic perspective to the work and shows how everything is made by hand any by one individual.

Photos taken by David Geewai ho

Handmade Wedding Tip: Get Creative With Table Settings

Instead of numbering tables at the reception, use a theme or a subject that is more personal to the couple. 


Designer Lizzytish suggests, "Think of places you have visited or lived, favourite foods and drinks, favourite movies, personal interests, pastimes or hobbies." Previous commissions have included table settings incorporating road signs and laser-cut images inspired by places the couple have lived.

Wedding Table Setting by Lizzytish

See more of her work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Craft Central gets hitched 2012 - Tea and cake with Abby Monroe

In the pursuit of all things craft, my next journey would take me to the vast fields and rich green forests of Kent, where eventually I stumbled upon a quaint little shed in a very picturesque village in the country. Their Abby Monroe awaited my arrival with a slice of delicious Oreo cake and a cup of glorious tea. Just what one needs after my long and treacherous journey.

Having joined Craft Central in 2011, Abby Monroe's unique brand of ceramic jewellery and products has garnered much praise and attention, not to mention is always a stand out feature in our showcases and events. When she is not being a creative or designing for her brand, Abby acts as a Textiles tutor, ‘The Haberdashery Hostess’ teaching sewing classes in her local tearoom, and organising craft parties for hen do's. Abby's determination, work ethic and passion are second to none and I have a lot of admiration and respect for her love of craft and her strong desire to succeed.

For more Of Abby's work please visit her website at http://www.abbymonroedesign.com/

Photos by David Geewai Ho

craft Central Gets Hitched 2012 - A Alicia

Today our featured designer is Anna Alicia of A ALicia Hand Made Accessories. You maybe familiar with Anna's distinctive work which is a combination knitting, embroidery, textiles and jewelry using Eco-friendly and Fair trade materials. When she is not creating her fabulous textile pieces, anna hosts engaging and fun filled craft work shops for hen nights, where participants learn to make garters, fabric flower bouquets, pompom garlands and many more.

More of Annas work can be found on her personal website at http://aalicia.bigcartel.com/

Photography by David Geewai Ho

Handmade Wedding Tip: Customise Wedding Attire With Embroidery

Fashion and textile designer Jan Knibbs customises existing garments or accessories, from the actual wedding dress to shoes and bags, with her signature style of embroidery. "This makes it more affordable to have a completely unique bespoke outfit which will make you stand out from the crowd," she enthuses. 

 


Full Bloom by Jan Knibbs. Photo credit: Jack Willingham


See more of Janet's work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Porcelain Imprinted With a Special Pattern

Ceramicist Janet Stahelin Edmondson works in Limoges Porcelain into which she presses lace and embroidery to produce an impressed decoration. The finished vases and vessels are translucent and delicate, but watertight. 

For weddings, she makes commissioned pieces using the bride's own lace or embroidery. "The process does not damage the textile," she explains, "and the end result will be personal to you and your wedding." 

Previous commissions have included presents for mother of the bride or groom and bridesmaids, with one bride giving vintage brooches presented in tiny porcelain bowls decorated with lace from her dress. 

Vases by Janet Stahelin Edmondson

See more of Janet's work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Craft Central teams up with Celebrity Stylist Zoe Lem

In the lead up to Craft Central Gets Hitched, we’re celebrating all things wedding, even selecting the perfect vintage shape for your dress. Taking a breather from planning her upcoming Vintage Wedding Fair (1 April 2012) Fashion and Celebrity Stylist and Dress Designer, Zoe Lem will share her wealth of experience to Find your perfect vintage shape! Book online here

‘There is no such thing as the wrong dress, just the right dress on the wrong body!’

Zoe will talk about the styles and shapes indicative of the different era’s and which era’s suit which body shapes. She will let you know which body shape you are and help you find out which shapes will most flatter you on your big day. Zoe will discuss the Hollywood stars from the various eras and how to recreate their style to suit your shape.

About Zoe Lem
Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life but many of us girls nowadays are so independent, career focused and have such high standards that we wait a little longer before deciding to get married. Your wedding day is therefore much more about maintaining your personality and creating a day that represents who you are in a silhouette that feels natural to your own style.

Following 15 years as fashion and celebrity stylist Zoe Lem has created a collection of dresses celebrating the classic vintage styles from the 1920s to the 1960s along with the ideal body shapes for each era.

Zoe has worked in the vintage scene for many years but has noticed that though it has now become much more accessible and covered by mainstream media very few girls actually understand what the defining silhouettes and shapes are from each of the eras not least which would best suit their shape.

‘Many brides come with a decade that they love and are desperate to recreate’ says Zoe ‘but unfortunately it doesn’t always love them, so it is best to find the perfect shape from whichever era and then adapt it, style it to suit the bride style, taste and wedding ideas.’
Zoe offers a relaxed but well informed service utilising her many years as a stylist dressing celebrities such as Cat Deeley, Trinny & Susannah and Myleene Klass, models and real women.

Handmade Wedding Tip: Queen's Diamond Jubilee Hallmark for 2012

This year, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, a special commemorative hallmark for jewellery has been approved. A 2012 wedding can be commemorated with this special hallmark. "The Queen's hallmark, which will sit alongside the traditional UK hallmarks, is only available this year," jeweller Amanda Li Hope notes. (Hallmarks are legally required for products described as containing precious metals.) 

Amanda Li Hope also takes commissions for pieces made in Fairtrade and Fairmined gold, one of the first 20 companies licensed to do so.

engagement and wedding band set in Fairtrade/Fairmined gold by Amanda Li Hope

XX earrings in Fairtrade/Fairmined gold by Amanda Li Hope

See more of her work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Work Directly With a Designer-Maker

The beauty of buying handmade and working with a craftsperson is you can describe and commission exactly what you envisioned. 

Accessories designer A Alicia customises everything from garters to ring pillows to boutonnieres. "If you want something unique and personal to you, just ask! I love making bespoke orders, and I get so many requests from customers who can't find a garter to fit them, or just can't find one to suit their style." 

Garter and ring pillow made with vintage textiles by A Alicia Wedding

See more of her work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012

Handmade Wedding Tip: Commission Jewellery for the Wedding Party

Bridesmaids can coordinate by wearing matching silver jewellery on the day of the wedding. "This could be in the form of earrings, bracelets or earrings," suggests jeweller Farah Qureshi, who creates a lovely range of silver and gold jewellery, great for the special day. 

A special commissioned piece of jewellery would also make a great gift for the mother of the bride.

Gold necklace with tear drops by Farah Qureshi

Gold ring with pink tourmaline by Farah Qureshi

See more of Farah's work at Craft Central Gets Hitched, Central London's Handmade Wedding Fair, 22-25 March 2012