Featured WedEclectic Shop — ClayBouquetShop!

Continuing our feature of the winner for each month’s Team Treasury Challenge, here is our second interview: held with Jennifer from ClayBouquetShop!  (Jennifer’s winning treasury for October can be seen here.  To vote on November’s treasury challenge see this post!)

How did you start your shop? 

I didn’t know it at the time, but preparing for our DIY wedding laid the groundwork for my Etsy shop. I didn’t seriously consider continuing the creative work I was doing until after being strongly encouraged by every one of our wedding vendors to create bouquets and accessories for other brides! I started creating items for my shop the day after we arrived home from our honeymoon. : )

How did you come up with your shop name?

Since I made the wedding bouquets and boutonnieres out of clay flowers, and I thought that the shop would be comprised mainly of those creations, I named it “Clay Bouquet Shop.” Little did I know that it would grow to include brooch, beaded and feather bouquets, sashes, hair accessories, and jewelry. : )

Tell us about some of your favourite items in the shop.

I love to make clay bouquets, but have to limit the number of contracts I take on due to the time it takes to make the flowers by hand after my full time job. My husband brags about them to others whenever given the chance, which I find quite funny as he protested quite vehemently (for months) when I told him I didn’t want to carry fresh flowers. He finally changed his mind when he saw them arranged, the weekend before our wedding. And he’s even commented that the fresh bridal bouquets he has seen at recent weddings don’t look as good as the ones I make, as they tend to be a bit wilted by the time wedding party pictures are taken.

I also love the brooch bouquets that I have designed for brides…and if we ever renew our vows (which he brings up all the time…and we just celebrated our 3rd anniversary : ) I’m making one for myself!

And I have a few favorite sets…

The Amanda, bridal sash, headband, and earrings:

The Colette, bridal sash, headband, bracelet, and earrings:

What inspires you?

The brides I work with, one on one…their themes and details provide a framework for their bouquets. : )

What is your favorite wedding trend (now or past)?

I really enjoy seeing weddings that incorporate the bride and groom’s passions and favorite things. It becomes less of a traditional cookie-cutter wedding and more of a unique celebration of the couple’s lives coming together.

Given the opportunity, which celebrity would you like to see wearing your designs?

I am tickled pink whenever I see photos of brides wearing or carrying my creations, so I would love if any public figure wore or carried anything I made for them!

The Vivian, crystal headpiece and earrings:

What is your unicorn – that is, what is an object or skill that has eluded you so far?

If time is an object…I wish I had enough time to fill my current orders, maintain my life/home/business and to accept last minute orders. I’ve had to turn away a number of brides this year due to my busy production schedule, and wish that I could help every bride that contacts me. (I’m currently booked through March of 2013 for bouquets.)

What do you think the future holds for you / your shop?

We’re moving early next year, and my plan is to have a devoted room for my shop…and I look forward to be able to display my creations and have a bright, spacious room to work in!

Sparkle!!! Your Wedding

She floats down the aisle…..a bridal vision in silk and tulle. The radiance of little lights shimmer, falling about her like an aurora of shooting stars. Tiny faceted rhinestones sparkle from her veil. Around her waist, she wears a sash tied with a sheer chiffon bow, adorned with a beautiful array of sparkling rhinestones. On her wrists she wears rhinestone ornamented silken cuffs. Her bridal bouquet is sprinkled with rhinestones and her shoes, peeking from under her gown, sparkle with dainty rhinestones. She is a dazzling princess bride in a fairytale wedding.

The use of crystal rhinestones in wedding accessories, flowers and bridal attire is a beautiful and modern addition to any bride’s trousseau. Rhinestone design can be done elegantly and easily if you are a DIY bride working within a budget.

There are several online retailers who sell rhinestones in bulk which helps keep your wedding costs in line. You can find an assortment of free vector designs online to start your design process – just google vector ornaments or flourish designs.

The most secure way to apply rhinestones to your bridal creations is to use E6000 glue with a toothpick for application. Be sure to spread a dot of glue, smaller than the diameter of the flat back rhinestone on both the rhinestone back and the material/paper/whatever item you are adorning. Wait 5-8 minutes and then join the two glue areas. Let the glued item set undisturbed for 24-48 hours (48 hrs will give the strongest bond). It’s a good idea to only spot clean your rhinestoned items, as dry cleaning solvents will dissolve the glue bond.

Another way to add rhinestones is to sew them onto your bridal pieces. You may buy point back rhinestones in metal settings for this application. Check your fabric stores and hobby craft stores for this type of rhinestone.

*** If you’re not a DIY kinda girl, take a look through the stores of the Wed Eclectic Team. There are a number of artists and designers who offer rhinestone accented wedding items.

Wedding Rhinestone Ideas:

• Wedding Invitations and Save The Dates – add their sparkle here.

• Guest Book and Pen – encrust the pen in rhinestones.

• Hair – broach headband, rhinestone hairvines, hairpins, rhinestone dotted silk flowers

• Wrist, Choker, Waist, Garter, Shoes – accent all of these with rhinestones.

• Bouquets – flower accents and bouquet wraps.

• Boutonniere – bling him, too.

• Earrings and Necklace – pair vintage rhinestone costume jewels with rope pearls.

• Veils and Wraps – use masses of tiny floating rhinestones.

• Flower Girl – give her a rhinestone fairy wand with flowers floating from ribbons.

• Ring Bearer – add rhinestone decoration to the ring pillow.

• Reception – incorporate rhinestones into your cake topper design, centerpieces, garlands.

• Pets – rhinestone necklaces and collars.

• Favors and Bridesmaid Gifts – sparkle it, girl!

  
  

  This post brought to you by Gale of LilyFleur.