Madeit Seller Feature - Kate from 'My Pretty Ivy'

What girl doesn't like adding a bold, beautiful necklace to their outfit? Kate from the Madeit store 'My Pretty Ivy' sure likes to create beautiful necklaces that are washable - perfect for Mums that have bubs that love to put items in their mouths.

I had the opportunity to ask Kate about her creations and her store and is my feature Madeit seller for this month. So sit back, grab a cup of tea and enjoy reading about 'My Pretty Ivy' ...

**Note: If you like an item, click on the photo and it will take you to the My Pretty Ivy shop and will give you more detail about the items**

Tell us a bit about 'My Pretty Ivy'...

Hi my name is Kate and I'm a first time mum to my very pretty Ivy (I am no doubt like all mothers biased!). Like most women I love pretty little things and realise that having a baby and wearing jewellery don't often go hand in hand!

After struggling to find well priced and good quality jewellery made from silicone I decided to create some. Initially I began creating necklaces for friends who have also recently had babies! A couple of friends who received these necklaces as gifts made the suggestion of me creating an online store and given I am on leave from my role as a registered nurse I had the opportunity to explore my creative side! so My pretty Ivy was created! These pretty and affordable necklaces are made from 100% non-toxic food grade silicone beads that are free from BPA, lead and any other nasties!

Each necklace is unique and one of a kind (I wear plain coloured clothes and like to add colour through accessories...I know I am not the only woman who does this!)

I love that these necklaces can be washed with warm soapy water (as little fingers are cute but usually grubby!) and come with a safety clasp(little hands are strong!)

They are great for wearing when feeding to keep little fingers distracted!

What do you like most about being a handmade designer/creator?

I love designing necklaces with customers as it allows both of us to create a piece they will love and wear! I know that there are times when you feel like you lose your sense of self as a new mum. Making these necklaces and exploring my creative side allows me to feel connected to me. It is very therapeutic working with different shaped and coloured beads! 

I feel that there is something special about handmade items in this day of seasonal and mass produced items....you can feel the love and energy in them!

What is your favourite item (that you have created)?

It would be unfair to label one of my necklaces a favourite! I like them all especially when I receive a thankyou note from a happy recipient!

What is next? Do you have any new ideas/products/designs planned?

At this stage My pretty Ivy is still very new....so who knows where it will travel!

Thank you very much Kate for sharing your ideas! I, too, echo the love of handmade items - the joy and relaxing in creating them and also the care that these items exude in a mass produced world.

If you would like to visit My Pretty Ivy, please click here. Why not drop Kate a message and leave some feedback about her creations (email address is located on the My Pretty Ivy store page)!

To see other Madeit stores, please click here.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

Introducing Fellow Madeit Seller - Lauren - from 'Ayana Jewellery'

As I love encouraging others, particularly those that handcraft items, I thought I would dedicate a blogpost once a month, sharing some information about other handcrafters that I have met.

This month I have great pleasure to introduce to you, Lauren from 'Ayana Jewellery'.

 Lauren is a very skilled jewellery maker that handcrafts rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces. I met Lauren through the handmade market site, Madeit. I asked Lauren a few questions about her craft. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy reading about her journey ...

Tell us a bit about 'Ayana Jewellery'.

Behind Ayana Jewellery is myself and my partner Vincent. While I develop, design and handmake each item, Vincent supports me with the business side of things from marketing to bouncing ideas.

After studying as a silversmith in New Zealand, I moved to London where I met Vincent. Together
the journey of Ayana Jewellery began. I spend long evenings in my bedroom apartment making and designing jewellery. Vincent helping where he could.
We re-located to Sydney in early 2015 and re-launched Ayana Jewellery. We now design and make contemporary fashion accessories from our creative home studio in Neutral Bay (Sydney).
The artistic inspiration for our products comes from our travels. The ones ‘desire’ to see, feel, taste and yearn.

Resonating from cultural motifs to architectural shapes and forms.

Each jewellery item in our range is handcrafted with love from start to finish, with each piece not quite the same as the one before. We design and make with the fun loving women in mind and the idea that jewellery is to be worn and enjoyed every day. 

What do you like most about being a handmade designer/creator?

I predominately work with sterling silver (925) so popping on my apron and taking to the bench with saws, hammers and solder to bend, curve and form shapes making the jewellery come to life has to be my favourite part of being a creator. On the other side, I just love when I sell something and get awesome feedback from the customer - you never stop getting that little buzz!

Why did you choose to create jewellery?

I never really know how to answer this question - I just love jewellery and it fascinated me that I could create my own from a few lengths of wire, some sheets of silver and a soldering torch. After doing a night course I was hooked and went on to do a full-time course.

What is next? Do you have any new products/designs/ideas planned?

We have just started doing markets in Sydney which are awesome and a great way to interact with customers, so we'll be doing more of those in the next few months. We also have a new range of Drop Designs which we have tested at the markets, they will be going up online in the next few weeks.

Our plan for the next few months is to get our jewellery into a few more shops and get more locally handmade items out there whilst educating the customers so they can understand and appreciate "handmade". We are already stocked with Bonty in Canberra, Boxable Gift Boxes and will soon be in Manly Gallery.

Thank you Lauren for sharing about your handcrafting journey and your beautiful products. I love the simplistic, modern design of your jewellery and I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

If you would like to view more Ayana Jewellery products, simply click here to view what is in store.

Thank you for viewing!

~ Jen

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about other handcrafters and want to know more about Tupsy Turvy Designs, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

The Making of a Princess

I had a little shopping splurge last shopping trip. It has been a little while since I have bought some new clothes. I managed to find a couple of new items that I can wear out or at work. I also found a few items that are going to be perfect for casual wear or to wear when I am being more active. When thinking about clothes, I tend to move towards shades of blue, green or brown as I know that these colours suit me. I felt particularly adventurous and ended up buying a fluro orange top - stepping a long way out of my colour wheel! I go through a similar process when I am creating my lovely 'princesses' as each of them are different.

I love creating each 'princess'. I love starting with bits of old book page, then cut and shape it to create a girl image. Before too long a new princess is created with her own style and personality. There are many things to think about. I thought that I would share some of this process with you ...

Firstly, I think of a theme which usually incorporates the background colours. I think about 'What emotions or qualities do these colours evoke in me?'. With my latest princess canvas, when I looked at the pastel pink and emerald green colour combination, I thought of 'kindness', 'welcoming' and 'gentleness'. 

I then sketch my princess in my Art book, keeping these qualities in mind. In this instance, I thought about 'What would a kind, welcoming, gentle girl wear? What would her hair be like?'. I also think of a suitable quote to match.

When I am finished developing my background on my canvas, I then begin 'creating' my princess. I cut out all aspects of her body, clothing and hair out of book pages and layer them on the canvas and adhere them. I then paint her all white. I then make the dimensional aspect to her clothing. In this instance, I created the pleated ruffle that would highlight the bottom of her dress.

 Before I do much more, I need to paint my princess. I think of a colour that compliments the background and use it for her dress, ensuring that it matches the fabric component of her dress. I then add the skin colour, ensuring that it compliments the colour chosen for her dress. At first I made my princess' skin colour too warm which clashed with the blue/green, cool colour of her dress and I had to alter it. I find it amazing that each of my princesses have their own colour wheel too!

I then add her hair colour and her rosy cheeks. I finish my princess off by adhering the fabric feature, drawing details and adding shadows/highlights. I then have my finished princess.

I painted this princess canvas on a slightly larger canvas, giving her a little more room. If you wish to view this canvas or anything else in shop, please click here.

Thanks for viewing!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about what happens 'behind the scenes' at Tupsy Turvy Designs, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...