Flowers of Liberty

A few months ago, a very exciting email pinged in my Inbox!  From none other than Liberty of London, asking if I could produce some necklaces for them for the Flowers of Liberty range.

As you can imagine, this was an absolute dream come true for me, and was so proud and honoured by the fact that they wanted me to make something for them.

 

Fabrics we sent, prototypes made, tweaked, engraved, gold plated, and finished.  Costs were approved, and before I knew it, the designs were approved and production of them was underway.

The necklace comes in 3 designs, with the iconic fabric framed underneath the domed glass piece, in the Betsy, Theodora and Wiltshire prints.  Each necklace is ever so slightly unique, framing a slightly different part of the fabric.  The glass piece is then set in a Gold Plated Pendant tray, engraved with the Liberty London logo on the reverse, and hangs from a delicated Gold Plated Curb chain. 

A couple of weeks ago I made a very special trip to Liberty to see them instore, and it was such an increidble moment for me.  They looked fantastic instore, and fit perfectly into the Flowers of Liberty range, which has just been given an overhaul for Spring, with new products from purses to gardening trowels, tents and birdboxes, as well as beautiful stationary, jams, and pottery and ceramics.

 

  If you are visitng Liberty, the necklaces are in the Flowers of Liberty collection on the 3rd Floor.

A change in the air...

With my little baby due in just under 4 weeks time, the time has now come for me to start my maternity leave.  Fear not though, not too much will be changing, well not in terms of the business anyhow... For me... However... Life is about to get a whole lot more exciting!

I have welcomed my mum, Karen on board as a more permanent helper here at Handmade by Hayley, so she will be taking over the day to day dispatching of orders, so the shop will remain open for business and continue as normal whilst I take a bit of time of to spend with my new imminent arrival.

Karen normally looks after the dispatching of orders if I am away on holiday or work trips, so she is very familiar with how it all works, and probably makes a better job of it than I do!!!

(24 weeks, afternoon tea in the lake district)

 

I have been super busy the last few months preparing stock for our busy Christmas season, and fingers crossed, if I have done all my planning right, we should be well stocked up.  Work is now having to slow down as I am finding myself getting rather tired rather quickly, and moving about the studio is getting more slow and cumbersome with my bump.  I have been happily enjoying my days sewing lots of lovely necklaces, and making lots and lots of bracelets, with my little baby kicking away inside me, keeping me company.

(29 weeks, enjoying some sun in the South of France)

 

This is my husband and I's first baby and we are both so excited! We don't whether we are having a boy or a girl, I wanted it to be a surprise but I must admit I'm getting a bit impatient to know now.  Everyone keeps telling me it's a boy, even strangers in the street stop to tell me it's a boy... not long to wait now to find out!

 (31 weeks, Matthew and I at a friends wedding)

Bright Leather Clutch Bags

Hayley is very proud to present her new range of handmade Bright Leather Clutch Bags.

The bags were developed with a small, family run leather craft business in Bangkok, and discovered on a recent trip to Thailand.  Inspired by the intense heat and bright colours of Bangkok, the design was selected and colours were chosen. 

 The bags are available in 7 different leather shades, including a bright Raspberry Pink (my personal favorite), Plum, Lime, Petrol Blue.  

We also developed the Clutch Bag in 3 classic leather shades of Tan, Cream and Dark Brown.

 

The timeless design of the bag means it will be suitable for all seasons, and the quality of the craftsmanship is incredible.

 

The bags all have a detachable strap, which is adjustable so can be turned into a shoulder or cross body bag.

 

 The interior is also fully lined with leather / suede, and has 3 sections, along with 2 zip pockets.  The bag is suitable to be used as a purse on a night out, with various slots for credit cards.

Our trip to Bangkok and Thailand was so inspiring and fun, most definitely one of my favorite cities on earth.  Bangkok has such a buzz, day and night, and is so overwhelmingly intense, from the sights, to the heat, to the food smells and market stalls that spill over onto every pavement.  A particular favorite way to get around for me was via Tuk-Tuk, a small 3 wheeled motorcycle with a covered seating area in the back.  By far the most fun way to see the city.

 

 The bags are priced at £48 and are available to buy here.

New - Liberty Looking Glass Range

This week, we have been busy with our photoshoot for our new Liberty Looking Glass Jewellery Range.

The small range features beautiful Liberty of London fabrics, covered with glass, to create beautiful, looking glass pendants. 

 The necklaces are available in rounds, ovals and hearts, in both antique brass and silver.  

There are also some limited edition brooches.

 Prices start from £14.50, and you can see the full range here.

 

Each necklace comes in a variety of prints and colours, from reds to pinks to purples, greens to browns, yellows, blues and turquoises.

We're taking a short break

Were taking a short break...

The Handmade by Hayley studio will be closed from the 7th - 25th January 2013 whilst we take a well deserved break.

 

 (image courtesy of A Cup of Jo)

The online shop is still open to take your orders although they wont be sent out until we re-open again on the 26th January.

Bon Voyage...

Hankyu British Fair - Japan

Back in the spring of 2012, I was asked if I would be interested in taking part in Hankyu Department stores British Fair.  The event is held at Hankyu's Flagship store in Osaka and showcases the best of British products, from clothing and fashion accessories to gift-ware, home accessories and food and drink. 

 

Promotional material showcasing other British businesses taking part in the show such as Eribe knitwear, Bluebell Gray, Cari & Co, as well as food and drink from Eteaket, The Savoy Hotel, London, The Highlander Inn and Walkers Shortbread.

 I immediately agreed and began working with my Japanese agent on ranges and designs for the Japanese market.  The trip was for 2 and a half weeks, the first week spent in Hakata Hankyu store in Fukuoka in South-West Japan, and the second week spent in Osaka at the flagship Hankyu store.

 

Most of my time was spent making necklaces, demonstrating my craft, as well as helping to sell the range of necklaces, bracelets and bags that were all ready made.

 

The customers were able to come and pick and choose beads, and I would create a long 'eclectic' style necklace for them. The beads were presented like sweeties from which the customers could choose from.

 

 

Taking part in the show was fantastic, exhilarating, hard work and most definitely the highlight of 2012 for me and my business.  It was such an incredible opportunity for me to see Japan, gain insight into the Japanese market, and I met some incredible people and fantastic friends over there that were also representing their brands and businesses from the UK.

 

 

It was such fun working with such a dedicated, friendly and enthusiastic sales team, and I look forward to what 2013 may bring for Handmade by Hayley in Japan.

As seen in...

 

This month our Grey Cable Knitted Bag was featured in the October issue of Country Living Magazine!

Our Grey Knitted Bag appears in the 'Emporium' section, which showcases 

"the Best of British Crafts, from luxurious woolens to unique jewellery and witty gardenalia..."

Our bag, as well as the other products and designer makers featured, will be available to buy at the Country Living Fair in both Glasgow and Harrogate this coming November.