I'll stick to Granny chic.....

Since I started studying for my Gemmology Foundation- which I have now completed after 5 arduous hours' worth of exams, and an innumerate amount of revision hours over evenings and weekends . . .that I will NEVER get back! I have somewhat neglected my own jewellery range!
So I thought I should dedicate a blog to some of the recent pieces I have made.

The first piece which I just LOVED making was a necklace for one of my closest friends, Becca's birthday back in December! a leather cord with sterling silver drop pendants, glass beads, turquoise stone and fresh water pearls designed especially with Becca in mind.

Becca is one of the most fashionable girls I know, she can literally
put anything together and look uber chic- like she's just walked off a fashion shoot. I will never forget walking around Paris with her, in and out of the vintage shops, me being overly excited about old flowery tea dresses and Becca picking up this pair of waist high leather skirt and an old Chanel back pack -which I thought then and there were ridiculous purchases ! ..... Only to then eat my flowery dress words on arriving home to London to find that leather was EVERYWHERE and my little fashion friend was strutting her stuff around London Town wearing the item gracing every magazines' front cover and looking incredible!



The Becca Necklace! Sterling silver, fresh water pearls and glass beads finished off with strong leather cord.

Becca puts me to shame with her Isabel Marant, Acne, Athe by Canessa Bruno, Wildfox, oh but to name a few....but I do indeed realise that should I ever dare to step foot into anything remotely "leather" related - or for that matter try and put a back pack on I would most certainly look like a wannabe Hell's Angel....rather than a dainty fashion icon. It would be a very uncomfortable and unfortunate day for any one around me should that day ever arise. . . !

The second piece which is one of my favourite pieces to design, make- and wear, the "Turquoise Orbit Ring". A large turquoise stone surrounded by small freshwater pearls wrapped in sterling silver! I love wearing this with a simple outfit as it's such a statement piece. I still need to get all my jewellery modelled on someone, that must be my next mission! The list is getting pretty long!

And finally my 14k gold filled earrings, with a central hanging turquoise stone and blue and gold beads.  I make these in all different colours and in sterling silver too, but personally I think gold works best every time! I just LOVE big jewellery and have always worn statement"y" pieces, lots of turquoise, gold and coloured beads, I genuinely feel naked without it!

For more info or for purchasing please visit my online Etsy Shop!

You can follow Becca on her blog here

Lots of love x

My love affair. . .with turquoise

Before you think of me as some turquoise wearing, bed spread adorning, wall paper smearing fanatic - I am not. Although admittedly I do wear at least 2 pieces of turquoise jewellery every day and feel very naked without it! 

 

YSL http://www.ysl.com/

Mociumhttp://www.mociun.com/

Emi-Lou Designs http://www.emiloudesigns.co.uk/

 

Emi-Lou Designs http://www.emiloudesigns.co.uk/

My love of turquoise began at 18 yrs of age on a family holiday in France. Having spent two wondrous weeks admiring the French fortified villages of Monflanquin and Pujols; indulging in the decadent cuisine and beautiful markets, my parents surprised me with a turquoise stone ring set in sterling silver. Something totally unique to anything I had seen before and subsequently something that has permanently and irreversibly moulded itself to my finger! This ring means everything to me as it represents not only my parents and the precious time we had all spent together but also my initial discovery of the semi precious stone turquoise.

Arriving back in London and jumping on google I was so certain that turquoise must be my birthstone- being ever a believer of star signs, destiny and fate(or atleast liking the sound  of it all anyway). However, much to my disappointment I found that i was months out- if only I had been born on time instead of shoved in an incubator looking like a little yellow alien, I would have a slightly more legitimate reason to adorn myself in this wonderful colour. 

Looking back it is also somewhat poignant because as a child my father used to frequently get me to say the word 'turquoise'. Clearly jesting his young non-conforming (in any way possible- words included)- daughter. I could only say 'it's Turk-wise daddy'.  Still to this day, when I mention the colour through conversation he back tracks and says 'sorry Emma, can you repeat, what's the colour again?'. Well daddy, it's turquoise! . . . Only 15 yrs later she has finally worked out how to speak! 

Through my jewellery I feel my designs have taken on my own persona, my own obsession as every other piece be it a ring, necklace or bracelet inevitably includes turquoise! In my opinion it is also one stone that works as looking typically bohemian, earthy and organic yet positively regal and enchanting. 

 

I have incorporated throughout a few photos I feel demonstrate turquoise at its very best. Most notably my FAVOURITE designs of YSL and Mociun. 

Clearly, having managed to virtually write a small dissertation on this colour I have even shocked myself and it would appear after all said and done that I am indeed, a fanatic.
 

Enjoy.

N.B: All photos other than my own taken from Google images