When we last met, I explained a little about the design process for Alex’s bridesmaids jewelry. Each piece turned out fantastic, I must say. Here are some individual pictures of each of them:
And here’s a group shot with the dresses – by the sorely missed Priscilla of Boston, and the flowers
Photo courtesy Sherrell Photography
And you may remember, I said in the previous post that I received a wonderful compliment on these pieces from the bride herself: when they arrived, she took them to the florist and asked for the bouquets to be designed to match! I love that!
This September wedding was some of the most exciting work I’ve done. I had the opportunity to really customize my work, put into practice a few things I’d been working on, and be paid an amazing compliment by my client.
I’d thought I’d start with how the designs came into being.
Alex was planning a fall wedding at a farm just outside of Boston that she described as “vintage meets country”. There would be bocce ball barefoot on the lawn and mini grilled cheese and tomato soup appetizers. (The day she told me this, the Hansels had grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. I couldn’t get it out of my head, it’s my favorite!) Her color scheme was deep wine/burgundy tones with burnt orange, just what you think of in the fall.
Alex had four bridesmaids, each with her own unique style, and she wanted to do a different necklace for each. I’d been working on a survey to get to know the style of my clients, so I sent her one and asked her to answer a few questions about each bridesmaid. They were quick questions that a bride knows about her best girls, little things like what kind of outfit is she most likely to wear on her day off – jeans and tee, or a sundress?
I took Alex’s answers, and with the image she sent of the bridesmaid’s dress and her inspiration for flowers, I sketched up 5 necklaces. She’d chosen gold as the metal for each piece, and with her color scheme and budget I chose garnet and carnelian stones.
Here’s an example of one sketch:
There were five sketches total, but only 4 bridesmaids. In my sketchbook I had listed each bridesmaid and top 3 designs I thought would best suit her style, but I didn’t tell Alex. When I sent her the sketches, I asked her to tell me which she would choose for each girl. I was right on with two, and with the other two Alex chose the necklaces I had listed second. Success for the survey!
Check back again for pictures of the final products…
That’s the word that best describes the last 9 weeks of my life. Disbelief. My mother in law asked me recently what thought went through my head when they placed John on my chest moments after he was born, and that was it: I can’t believe it. That my water broke 11 days before my due date. The memory is so clear, standing in my bedroom as the contractions grew stronger I can’t believe this is happening already. Disbelief. That I was in labor for so long (28 hours!). That things didn’t go according to planned. That I was even pregnant in the first place.
And then he was here. My baby. A baby I would never have to give back to his momma for comfort. That was me, I was his momma. I am his momma.
That same feeling of disbelief filled me up as we lay in my hospital bed a few hours later, his dark eyes blinking up at me in the still, almost silent night (Daddy was snoring on the pullout sofa). I don’t think John could believe it either.
That first night at home, John lying between us on our bed, all three of us snuggled in a family hug, our hospital bracelets all in view. With my name. I’m the momma.
John in his great great great grandfather's cradle. Photo courtesy Graham Terhune Photography. Thanks Mr. Graham!
And now it’s been two months. He’s not tiny anymore, in fact he’s huge. He feels heavy in my arms, his fingers no longer look long and slender since his wrists have plumped up and his hands are cute pudgy baby hands.
He knows my voice and he smiles at me and Daddy. He’s working on his laugh, on holding up his head, and he’ll be moving into his own room soon. How is time going by so fast?
I have to keep reminding myself: Slow down and enjoy it. There will be time for blogging and house cleaning, for website remodels, for business plans and thank you notes. Don’t forget to be still and just stare at him. Take things slow, because he certainly isn’t. Before long he’ll be hard to snuggle. Relish it. Breathe in his smells and his smiles. He is yours.
I can hardly believe it
I’d like to formally introduce you to John Bernerd Hansel, born January 10, 2012 at 2:04 am.
Things will be slowly getting back on track with Emily Hansel designs, with recaps of my 2011 projects interspersed with updates on my greatest design yet.
And I’m back with more beautiful dresses from October’s Bridal Market
Anne Barge via Weddings Unveiled
I love the cascading ruffly flowers and the way they are a little asymmetrical.
This next one I think would be beautiful for a late spring/ early summer outdoor wedding, maybe in a garden…
Carolina Herrera via Weddings Unveiled
I don’t have details on this dress, but it certainly has the look of a cool cotton sundress. As I said in the last entry, I saw a lot of dresses in fabrics other than satin and silk. This next dress also displays a different look to the fabric, using a damask/ tapestry like material.
Modern Trouseau via Southern Weddings Magazine
I think we need a little close – up, just to see the detail in the fabric
via Southern Weddings Magazine
Beautiful!
So, this isn’t just a gallery of my favorite dresses, I’m designing pieces to go along with them. Images to come!
Last month there was a flurry of excitement in the wedding industry, as fall Bridal Market came to New York City for a few jam packed days. Market coincided perfectly with the arrival of my new iPhone, so I spent those days hooked to my Twitter feed watching the beauty unfold. Drew was sweet enough to feign interest as I commented on the themes I saw : color, more use of softer, fluttery fabrics and less satin, the Kate Middleton Influence of covered arms – seen not just with lace overlays but also with detached sleeves (!), the Pippa Middleton Cowl Neck, feathers…the list went on and on.
I’ve spent the last few weeks searching around for some clearer, non-cellphone images of some of my favorite dresses to post, and I will be creating some jewelery pieces inspired by my favorites.
Here we go!
Lela Rose Marina - image via Zankyou
This was the first dress to catch my eye. I love Lela Rose, considered her bridesmaid’s collection very seriously for my own wedding, but hadn’t seen much of her Bridal collection. The simplicity of the dress, with the portrait neckline and the reoccuring lace both in the neckline and along the hem are what drew me in the most.
Anne Barge - image via Weddings Unveiled
Love the swooping, criss-crossing pattern of this one by Anne Barge.
This next gown plays a bit on the colors seen at this year’s Bridal market, but the ever so soft gray/silver doesn’t stray too far from the typical white gown.
Marchesa 2012 via Weddings Unveiled
The Royal wedding wasn’t the only big wedding across the pond with a bride name Kate this year. This Lazaro gown has elements that remind me of Kate Moss’s John Galliano wedding gown featured in September’s Vogue.
Lazaro 2012 via Wedding Wire
The v-neck, mesh overlay mimics the Old Hollywood, Jazz age style of Kate’s dress, but this one adds more oomphf at the bottom with layers of what looks like organza or tulle. I like the roughness at the bottom compared to the sparkle up top.
So that’s the beginning of my favorites, I’ll be back with more!
Emily Hansel 