I don't want to set the world on fire...

"...I just want to start a flame in your heart".

So, here we have something a little different. As a lot of you will know, Sacré Coeur means 'Sacred Heart' in French. The name is most commonly associated with Sacré Coeur Basilica in Paris which is an absolutely stunning cathedral set up high on a hill, visible from miles around. So, obviously, the name has religious connotations as well as a literal meaning. I chose the name because, as well as having a pretty sound to it, the Sacred Heart has always been a favourite image of mine, despite my lack of religious leanings of any description. I may not be religious but that doesn't stop me from having a fascination with religious imagery and symbolism! Anyway, as such, I decided it was high time I introduced a Sacred Heart into my repertoire... which got me thinking about a mini-collection of other heart inspired designs. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce the first in a new line of cameos...

The Sacred Heart and Locked Heart cameos, set on an antique effect, dry-brushed cameo setting are reproduced from my own hand carved designs here in my studio and then hand painted individually by myself. This ensures that, though they come from the same moulds, no two will ever be identical! The fact that they are hand painted also allows for a certain degree of customisation so, should a customer require a pink heart, for example, I can provide. These cameos are large so no detail is lost. They are guaranteed to stand out and are definitely eye-catching enough to make a statement. Available on 16" chain or mounted on a length of ribbon to allow the length to be adjusted.

These will be available shortly from my Bigcartel store and my Etsy store and will also be on sale, as well as other upcoming new designs, at the London Tattoo Convention & Whitby Gothic Weekend later on this year.

As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Upcoming travels, events and plans...

Having just spent a blissful week in one of my favourite cities, Berlin, I am now back in my studio and contemplating which direction to point myself and everything I do next. I am extremely happy in what I am doing but I feel it's time, or at least the time is approaching, for me to step things up a notch and move things on a bit further. My work is coming along nicely, I am mastering new techniques in my spare time which I hope to start using in my designs very soon, I am exploring options in terms of where to take my work and who to show it to next and I must say, it's all going swimmingly. However, I cannot help but feel like I am stagnating here. My options as it stands are to move back to the town that I studied in (Worcester, UK) or to up sticks completely and move out of England. All of the options have their pros and cons so this will take a lot of thought. I, thankfully, have at least the next 5 months to do said thinking.

In the meantime however, I will be attending a couple of events for definite between now and the end of the year as well as hopefully arranging a regular pitch at one of the markets in Brick Lane, London. You will definitely find me at Whitby Gothic Weekend in October and quite possibly at the London Tattoo Convention in September. There is also word of some independent exhibitions and events so keep your eyes open for any info on those... I will, of course, be posting full info as and when I know.

And now I turn to you all with a question. I know there are many of you who have put in requests for mens items and, as such, this is already being looked into/worked on, but I am curious to hear what else you would like to see from Sacré Coeur. Cameo designs, new styles, different hat designs, fascinators, other accessories... anything at all, I'd like to hear it! Feel free to email me on tea@sacre-coeur.co.uk if you'd like to keep it to yourself or go into more detail than a blog comment will allow, but if you'd like to leave a comment here with suggestions, I'd like that just as much!

Oh, and also, before I forget! Look out for Sacré Coeur in this issue of Alt NOIR magazine as well as on the upcoming cover of Alt Fashion. Also, I am waiting to hear back on publications in a couple of other mags. Again, I'll keep you posted.

Apologies for a rather dull, text only entry. I will be posting a new artist feature and some pretty pictures this week to make up for it!