As I drove to yoga this morning, I noticed the tips of some trees beginning to turn yellow. Fall will (finally) be in Chapel Hill quite soon! The change of the leaves around here is one of my very favorite things, and I can’t wait.
Fall will bring many changes, especially to my business and this site. Some are here already, you can scroll down to the bottom to see links to follow me on Twitter and Like my Facebook page. This summer I created new Who and What pages to introduce myself and my mission. I’m working with a graphic designer to create a logo, and may make some major site changes when it’s ready.
There will be some new posts featuring the weddings I worked on this summer, an inspiration project, and possibly a new regular feature.
I’ve been anxiously waiting to post a wedding I designed a collection for early this summer. I will have more detailed shots to come, but today you can check it out on the Southern Weddings Blog!
Do you remember hearing about the blizzard in Minneapolis this past December? The one that collapsed the roof of the Vikings stadium? Well, my next bride does. It was her wedding day.
Months earlier, we started brainstorming ideas for Brianna’s wedding jewelry. She sent me pictures of her dress, and I teared up looking at the one of her wearing it in the shop. She was so excited. I could tell how much she loved her dress, and I couldn’t wait to create something to accentuate that joy. We decided the best way to accessorize would be earrings. Her dress has a beaded empire waist, and I didn’t want to distract from this beautiful detail with a necklace. Brianna was drawn to cluster shaped earrings I’ve created in the past, so we decided on a medium sized cluster of mainly white pearls, with some crystal accents.
I got to work designing, but I was looking for a little more inspiration.
One of the images she sent me was a close up of the beaded portion of her dress, which gave me an idea.
The beading was definitely the focal point of the dress. I wanted to mimic it in her earrings. I started with white pearls, added clear Swarovski crystals, and silver beads. But they needed a little something more.
Instead of finishing with a larger pearl or crystal, I chose a moonstone teardrop. It’s not completely clear like the crystals, and it’s even a little opalescent (shimmery – like soap bubble). Holding the finished earrings up next to the picture of the beading, I was satisfied they were the perfect complement.
Spring is beginning to show in Chapel Hill. Daffodils are everywhere (I may go pick some from the yard today), the white pear trees are just about in full bloom, and this weekend I noticed blossoms beginning on two of my favorites, Saucer Magnolias and Cherry Trees. Hansel House might need those in our yard. They always put a smile on my face – especially now, as they remind me of our springtime honeymoon.
cherry blossoms outside Notre Dame (my image)
As winter ends and spring begins, I’m working on a few weddings, getting my studio and business organized, and putting some more work into the house. I’ll be posting soon on those projects, my experience at Making Things Happen, and a piece I did for a snowy winter wedding.
Emily Hansel 