I'm on a roll...

I've finished another new collar and am ready to get on with the next one now! I have to admit, collars, cuffs and similar accessories are my favourites to make I think. I feel like I can really get creative with them and they just seem to, I don't know... happen! It comes naturally from the moment I start pinning leather and other miscellaneous scraps together. I feel like a nice style is developing with my posture collars and this one is certainly no exception.

Here she is. 'Mildred' as I have named her. She's now up for sale in my Etsy shop along with the Lolita collar/bonnet as seen in my last entry. The collar itself is made up of vintage patterned leather, salvaged from an old leather jacket. It was a very lucky find as this sort of patterned leather is not something I happen across very often on my travels and, luckily for me (and, indeed, whoever ends up owning this piece!), this particular stuff happens to be very fine and comfortable and the inside is beautifully soft on the skin. I have used my usual press stud fastenings for the front closure and to add a little decorative interest, have draped a couple of coated black chains and a string of glass pearls across them. These emerge from beneath the lace flowers situated on the left shoulder and are attached to a large jump ring which has been soldered closed. There is a tiny little hook on the right shoulder which this jump ring latches on to once the collar is on its wearer and done up. It easily unhooks for ease of removal. This can be seen in more detail in one of the photos.

Anyway, enough blather from me, this was only supposed to be a short showcase! Next entry from me will be another artisan/designer feature I expect so keep your eyes peeled and thank you for reading! As ever, your feedback is warmly received!

A little preview...

The past few days have seen me busying away in my studio, working on some new collars. I've been meaning to get round to coming up with some new designs for the last little while but have had so much to do what with the cameo range, making up samples, orders, taking photo's, editing etc etc... it's been pretty mental. But, I have it all under control now which means that in the run up to my Berlin trip on the 14th of July, I can work on some new pieces and get them up for sale.

Anyway, I thought I'd stop by and share a little preview of my latest completed design with you all. I will be working on a leather piece tomorrow and will follow up with pictures of that as well but for now, here's my as yet un-named new design. It's all fabric and beads and what have you so it's veggie friendly :D It works either as a collar that does up with a big satin bow at the front or as a Victorian style bonnet... I'll let the pictures do the talking now!

Fully adjustable thanks to it's ribbon-tie closure. I am very pleased with how this has come out, I expect it will become a staple item in my online shops now. Expect an all black mourning version and a steampunk variation next...

As always I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks :)

Makeover time and my first little feature!

I thought it was high time I made some proper use of this blog. First port of call had to be a makeover. With the help on my brother, I've now managed to get it somewhat how I like it! So now, roll on new content and interesting things...

In a bid to get more out of the whole blogging experience I will not only use this blog for its main purpose of documenting my own work and news relating to Sacré Coeur, but also showcasing other people's work that I find and appreciate along the way, posting about events and goings on as I go along my way. I would certainly welcome any input from you guys should you have any suggestions for features as I'm keen to use this to help promote other independent designers who are just starting up their businesses as well as those who are already established.

To kick things off, I'd like to share the work of a designer named Gisèle Ganne that, frankly, blew my mind when I was shown it by my brothers girlfriend (who will be getting a feature of her own very shortly). As my own work and my previous entries here will have demonstrated, I have an appreciation for symbolic jewellery (mourning jewellery in particular). Although Ms Ganne has applied her own very unique interpretation of the ideals behind mourning jewellery to create her own themed collection, it is actually her collection entitled 'Divorce Jewellery' that caught my attention. Quite rightly, she states on her website that people do not just mourn the death of individuals but also of 'relationships and decaying marriages'. Her divorce jewellery is symbolic of this aspect of mourning. Traditional symbols used in mourning jewellery throughout the centuries, such as forget-me-nots and skulls, have been used in a new and very contemporary fashion to create ostentatious, flamboyant yet curiously wearable pieces. Divorce and mourning the death of marriage and relatiosnhips is a thoroughly modern condition which is reflected by the larger than life nature of these pieces (think gleaming gold rings that span the entire width of the hand with lifesize bird skulls, brightly coloured enamelled flowers and gemstones). That's enough from me, I shall let you see for yourselves!

You can view more of her work, read her bio and find stockists on her website: www.giseleganne.com

Personally, there isn't much I wouldn't do to get my hands on one of those massive bird skull rings... Y'know, just saying.

What do you think? Seen anything similar? Feel free to share your thoughts and/or opinions!