who's wonder woman?

Last year there was a bit of a run on 'superhero' themed birthday parties that the little lady was invited to.

Obviously I made her a little superhero outfit. I asked her if she wanted to go as Wonder Woman { having gone through a surprisingly short list of female super heroes I could think of before drawing an absolute blank}. 

"Who's Wonder Woman?" she asked.

I thought for a moment of how best to describe a 1970's cult tv show.

"Hhhhmmmm..." I replied "I think, deep down, we all are". 

Yay. Well done me, for such a deep, philosophical message to send to my 3 year old daughter. 

She thought for a moment, then answered,

"Can I go as a princess instead?"

To all Wonder Women {and princesses}, 

Happy International Women's Day!

✴ start of the season

I think we can now most definitely say that wedding season is upon us. As someone who works with beautiful brides and spends most days looking lovingly at wedding inspirations I think there can be no better kick off with all things weddingy than with the recent nuptials of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Did you watch? I spent the day with two lovely hat wearing ladies and we supped bubbly and ate breakfast and supped bubbly and ate lunch and then just supped bubbly. 

We gasped and we oohed and we ahhed at the sublime beauty of Miss M in her beautiful gown. 

Imagine how hit-the-roof excited I then was to discover that my dear, and oh so talented friend, had been a special stitcher of that most famous frock. She was one of the embroiderers from The Royal School of Needlework. How gobsmacked was I?? The BEST KEPT SECRET bar none! 

You can read all about it here.

So, buzzing with this knowledge and therefore reckoning that if I spent the weekend congratulating and stroking the arm of said friend and royal stitcher {ok not the whole weekend, that would be weird} then indeed I could conclude that I am only one very petite person away from that most famous frock......that's how it works in my head anyway....

Not surprising then, that my space is of the bridal kind this week. 

With finishing of some pieces and the beginnings of others. Working on new brass pieces with vintage lace and quartz crystal, ideas brewing for these teeny tiny brass lockets, baby blue grosgrain ribbon, cinderella style tulle bows and finding inspiration in delicate forget-me-not flowers.

I feel compelled to doth my feathery fascinator style cap in awe to the brit style front cover of Grazia and the utterly brilliant headline "Arise McQueen Kate". Well done Grazia.

More Creative Spaces at Kootoyoo.

✴ sea nymphs

I've been making some new headdresses inspired by the salty sea. The things that are washed up by the shoreline, natural organic garlands of seaweed, kelp and shells are just so very pretty in their rustic briny ways. And glittering sands on a sun dappled beach could so easily be crystals, don't you think?

These enchanting nymphs are, Morwen, Coralie and Ione. They are made with brass wire and are so delightfully light and easy to wear. They have no combs or pins but two wire loops at either end for placing hair grips or perhaps a narrow ribbon or hair band could be threaded through for wrapping around a bun or updo. 

I'm loving working with brass at the moment, a nice change from silver and gold. Brass has a vintage appearance that I find so very charming and develops it's own natural patina with age.

We don't live on the coast but a winter retreat to Cornwall last year, with blustery walks along the sand and shell seeking in rock pools provided just the inspiration for creating these pieces.

✴ light & space

I'm still milking this sickness with a hacking cough which is keeping me awake most nights. So not good. Especially now the weather is turning a rosy pink and sunlight blue of springy perfection. Today was glorious, although perhaps less so with a bad nights sleep and a morning meeting to discuss pensions...followed by a meeting to discuss building plans { the trials and tribulations of which are a post in itself which will have to wait for another day - yay! lets talk building regs.......Zzzzzz......}.

Did I mention I have a new desk...? I can't recall........maybe I mentioned it just once.....?!! 

Anyhoo, I'm just loving my new space the light around which is just divine and makes me wonder if BD {before desk} I wasn't just stitching away in a little gloomy cave in the dining room. Like a hobbit.

Note to self~ check quality of stitching in new well lit space on work done BD.

I'm finding in my current state of 'below par' that the simple and quite relaxing task of glueing resin flower cabochons onto hair grips is about all I can muster. But I'm loving in nonetheless.

My Creative Space at Kootoyoo.

✴ precious metals

{silver card tray, £5}

{pearl knot clip earrings, 50p}

A magpies haul of shiny metals from the local charity shop this week.

The brooch and earrings will be fashioned into new vintage style headdresses and I  had hoped that the silver tarnished card tray might well prove to be a precious metal of sorts. 

I had been practicing my 'pleasantly shocked' face and picked out an Antiques Roadshow appropriate outfit. I think I may have got a bit carried away. 

It clearly isn't real silver. There is a slight copper tone over the pattern which would hint at years of exuberant Brasso scrubbing by an eager maid, I'm guessing that if you owned and used a card tray, that you probably had staff...It's such a piece that depicts a bygone era, don't you think?

The custom of 'calling' in Victorian society and the etiquette of leaving a calling card for the lady of the house. 

Texting just seems so crass in comparison!

{goldtone pearl brooch, 50p}

Here is the method I used for cleaning the tarnish from the silver tray. It should work well for silver, silver plated and EPNS {but not best for gemstones and pearls} although care should always be taken when cleaning antique treasures.

Even though this is an eco cleaning method, there is a slight sulphurous odour during the cleaning process so it's best to do in a ventilated room or even better outside.

• Line a large bowl with aluminum tin foil.
• Sprinkle over 3 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda.
• Place pieces to be cleaned on top.
• Pour over freshly boiled water from the kettle to just cover pieces.
• Leave to soak for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove and buff gently with a dry clean cloth, tea towel or silver polishing cloth.
• See your silvery bits sparkle in the sunshine....or, under a very bright light....

Flea Market Finds here

✴ feeling delicate

We're feeling very delicate today. My little Tinkerbell has had her fluttery fun filled wings cruelly clipped with a very high temperature, a runny nose and a bit of teething thrown in for good measure.

There has been much Cbeebies watching, with glazed eyes, not much eating and a lot of cuddles and forehead stroking. And a regular dose of Calpol! 

It's most definitely a quiet stay indoors type of day. For me there has been much tea drinking {so what's new?} and monitoring of sick child. It's a horrible feeling of helplessness and inadequacy of not really being able to do that much to ease the misery. But for the cuddles, lots of cuddles and whispers of shhhhhh......it's ok......

I've been finding time, during a welcome break of a proper nap, to do some more twiddling of gold wire and embellishment of crystals, pearls and beads on a new headdress. We have been watching Boardwalk Empire in the evenings, oh my, something new to get my teeth into and I'm just loving those 20's costumes, so very stylish and spangly. I'm thinking of maybe doing some 20's style headbands or some feathery frou frou of sorts. Ooh la la.

Joining in with My Creative Space.

✴ speaking of weddings...

{ jasmine tiara }

Yesterday it was announced we are to have a Royal Wedding. How very exciting. I wonder if we'll all have a day off and celebrate with union jack bunting and street parties like we did when Charles and Diana got married. And yes it gives me palpitations that I can clearly remember that Royal Wedding even though it was 30 years ago.......{sharp intake of breath...}

I wonder what look our Royal Bride to be will go for...

{ rose adagio corsage comb }

A dear friend of mine is also getting hitched next year, and just when you think the levels of excitement that seem to exude from her every pore couldn't get any bigger.....yesterdays news of sharing a wedding year with the Royals....well...you can imagine!!!

{ cherry blossom corsages }

Here are a few images of the headdresses I designed and made this year for two lovely brides, each of them princesses in their own way.

I was quite busy with bridal, bridesmaid, mother of the bride headdresses, not to mention horseshoes and grooms cufflinks. All good fun and such a joy to do. I love the different styles the two brides went for.

{flower fern brooch and comb}

I'm still trying to sort through images for a new website to hopefully get some new commissions next year. I have one booking. With everything getting packed away for next years building extension it will be tricky working from home next year. I doubt I'll be able to take on too much creative making...

... But I'd make an exception for you, Kate.......!

{flora corsage combs}

✴ my creative space

{ Wild Plum & Sage Leaf Cufflinks }

There has been much of the precious metal in my space for quite some time now.

With bridal commissions creating lovely silver pieces and much experimentation with leaves.

Now the leaves outside are starting to turn brown and wilt or crumble I'm in a race against time to create some new pieces. 

I made a lovely tiara for a lovely september bride with jasmine leaves and am hoping to create some other pieces. It's a long and slow task, painting silver clay slip onto a tiny fragile leaf, layer by layer...

I have some other design ideas for bramble, wisteria, lavender, sage....I'd better get a move on...

Winter's only round the corner...

My Creative Space

✴ my creative space

My poor bride-to-be is stuck in L.A thanks to an erupting volcano so had to miss our first headdress fitting on monday.

Which has meant extra time for titivating!

In the meantime, someone much closer to home commissioned me to make them a headdress...

It's years since I've made a daisy chain. What memories of childhood!

If anyone is interested, a daisy chain circlet for a fairytale princess of 15 months takes approximately 14 daisies and 10 minutes make.....And about 20 seconds to rip apart and strew across the garden!

Daisy chain to Kootoyoo for more creative spaces...

✴ shh...

Yesterday I met with bride-to-be, the lovely Miss L and we talked all things weddings.

It's my first bridal commission in a while, having taken a little break when the baba came along.

I'm now in the process of drawing up sketches for her. 

It's so exciting and I really like her ideas and themes. But obviously it's classified, so better shh.....

It has been good to spend some time looking through my past work, some unfinished and some I had forgotten all about!

It was a bit like Christmas this weekend, sorting stones and beads and opening all the headdress and jewellery boxes and unwrapping sparkly pretty things from deep inside the layers of tissue paper.

I feel suddenly inspired and refreshed to get things looking lovely with the business with some new shots, new website and some new work!

♥

shh...

{All designs Sarah Hemsley Headdresses}

✴ my place and yours :: shoes

Wedding shoes made by Emmy. White suede, soft, velvety...yum, now slightly grubby grey from so much dancing on a dusty oak dance floor. Silver leather trim with sparkly diamante  buckle. Handmade beaded decorative shoe clip, one later worn as a brooch but after too much wine at a party was lost on a drunken cab ride home....Sob!

I've been pondering for the last two years about whether to dye these shoes. But then I'll wear them all the time, they'll get battered and tatty. The heel will wear down to a metal point and that 1930's Hollywood style elegance will be lost, forever. But is it better to leave them hidden away, wrapped in tissue, inside a box, at the back of a wardrobe? Hhmmmm....

I'll never wear my Jenny Packham wedding dress again. I'll never wear any of the three headdresses I made and wore throughout the day and I'll definitely never wear the veil - it's all just a bit over the top for nipping out to m & s for a crusty baguette and a bag of satsumas.

But then I'll never get married again, so I guess the day was a bit of 'one time only' sort of day!

I'll never wear these things again, but I have a very strong feeling that in a few years time a little someone will love dressing up in these, marching around the house, playing here comes the bride....and that just won't be the same with black shoes, will it?

For more shoe stories, as chosen by The Craft Gypsy, head along to my place and yours at Punky & Me.

❄ Winter in Ascog

Birthday celebrations, from a time before Ella. Close friends and family, gathering at Ascog House on the Isle of Bute to don Wellington boots and pop Champagne corks.

Exploring the seventeenth-century lairds house, stone spiral staircases, a secret bedroom in a turret, swinging brass chandeliers, blackened fireplaces and creaking oak floorboards....

A short walk down to the bay on a damp and slightly misty morning. All around us are grey shiny smooth rocks which, with a closer look, are quite clearly a pod of seals, dozing the day away.

Longer treks through muddy frosty fields, catching our breath in the biting cold air. A bull with a long copper fringe watches us, probably wondering why we have ventured out on such a cold day when a cup of hot tea and large slice of cake in front of a warm fire is so much more inviting...

When the evening draws in and the peacocks nesting in the nearby trees have ceased their eerie call, we light up the dark house with an abundance of tea lights.

Dressing for dinner, because it seems an appropriate thing to do in such stately surroundings.

Gathering around the long wooden table and with name tags on our foreheads from a game of celebrity Blind Mans Buff, we tuck into a hearty meal and clink glasses, laughing and chatting into the wee small hours.......

A golden diadem, catching the morning light through the warped glass of the Edwardian sash windows in the turret.

{9ct gold, pearl and crystal 'Willow' tiara by Sarah Hemsley}

Ascog House  Landmark Trust 

Olive Fascinator

This fascinator is made with olive coloured sinamay which has be hand rolled and twisted into large bow shapes.
At the centre is a large amethyst coloured glass stone which is multi-faceted and sparkles in the light.
Around the amethyst stone is an array of black/dark purple feathers.

Pearl & Crystal Hair Corsage

I made this in November 2007 and wore it in my hair in the evening reception of my own wedding.
It was perfectly elegant and went really well with my Jenny Packham dress which was a 1930's style silk bias cut dress that epitomized Hollywood glamour.

The hair corsage was made of twisted silver plated wire which was set onto a small wire arch with loops at either end suitable for pinning to the hair.

The shape was very organic and I used 'branches' of wire with small freshwater pearls to create a fern design which surrounded the clusters of pearls, crystals and diamante.

It was very light and easy to wear, ideal for dancing the night away!

I think this design can be used in a variety of ways.
Fixing a brooch fastening to the back to create a decorative brooch which could be fastened to an outfit or maybe to fix a sash around the waist.

Designed and created by

shh...sarah hemsley headdresses

Peacock Fascinator

This fascinator is made of black silk organdie which has been gathered and stitched into a rosette shape to look like a flower.
In between the layers of organdie are black diamond-cut goose feathers and individual strands of curled peacock feather which catch the light wonderfully alternating between matt black and the irridescent blue/gold/green 'petrol' colour so recognisable as peacock feather.
Jet diamante and crystal also adorn the rosette and curling out from the back is a large black quill which has been curled into a large 'C' shape above the head.

This is all set onto a black straw fascinator base.

Designed and created by

shh...sarah hemsley headdresses

Three Ivory Fascinators

These are three ivory fascinators I made between 2006/2007.

The first one is decorated with ivory silk organdie which has been hand rolled to form roses's and pointed leaves. It also has rouleaux of ivory raw silk and is adorned with cream/very pale lemon coloured marabou feathers, white goose feathers and mother-of -pearl and crystal beading.

This is all set on an oyster coloured straw fascinator base which has been covered in cream coloured silk lace.

This was one of the first fascinators I have made.

The second shown here is lighter ivory/off white. Decorated with hand cut white goose feathers and curled white biot goose feather arranged around two white feather 'flowers', sparkling with diamante and crystal beads.
Towards the back of the fascinator there is a wide ivory silk ribbon and around the base are bows of white merry widow veiling.

The third, is a more darker shade of ivory, almost oyster coloured.
Sitting on an oyster straw base sits an oyster raw silk bow which has diamante and freshwater pearl beadwork at the centre.
This fascinator has height from a large ivory burnt ostrich feather which has been curled and decorated with diamante stones.


Designed and created by

shh...sarah hemsley headdresses

Cloudberry Tiarella

This is a set of three hairpins (which I call a Tiarella) called Cloudberry.

It is made with twisted sterling silver wire and Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, amethyst and garnet stones.

The beauty of the Tiarella design is that it can be worn in the hair in a variety of ways and can therefore create a very different look depending on the choice of hairstyle.

My friend, Mrs D borrowed this hairpin for her bridesmaid, Belle to wear. The Cloudberry colours of the crystals looked lovely with her gorgeous Vera Wang dress.

Designed and created by

shh...sarah hemsley headdresses