Meet Martha one of our lovely designers at The Bridal Emporium. We thought it would be a great idea to let you see the designers behind some of our wedding products and ask them a few questions on your behalf.
Tell us
about … how it all began?
The seeds of my
business started back in 2008. I had returned to the States to help my mother
after my father’s death. The economy was awful and finding employment was
impossible. I knew I had to do something to keep me from losing my mind. I have
always loved jewellery, and earrings in particular. I know what I like and I
was finding it increasingly difficult to find commercially produced earrings
that I felt were different and small pieces of art. So, I thought I would try
making my own. I did and, when I was wearing them, I would get all sorts of
comments and questions about my earrings. So, I started selling them here and
there. When I returned to the UK in late 2010, I was diagnosed with severe,
degenerative arthritis in my knees and hips. I knew that finding employment
would be impossible given my health, my age and the general state of employment
in Scotland. I made the decision to launch my own jewellery business. Best
decision I’ve ever made…
What inspires your designs and why?
For my Ailleas Designs
work, I am very much inspired by the gemstones and pearls with which I work.
For bridal jewellery, I am inspired by the crystals and pearls, but I am also
inspired by different eras – the look of jewellery at different times in our
history. I find it fascinating.
Tell us
something different eg; you can only work if a cat is sat on your lap, you have
15 lights in your work room, you like to listen to heavy rock music whilst
working …
I recently got new
glasses and decided to get some single vision glasses just for making
jewellery. They work a treat, but when I get up from my work table and take
them off, it makes me very dizzy. In a fun, kind of trippy way. Oh, and I like
to listen to jazz when I’m working.
What’s your favourite piece and do
you find it changes often?
My current favourite is
a pair of lapis lazuli and vesuvianite earrings (I think). But I also love my
keishi pearl and pink sapphire set…and then there’s the pair of earrings that
will appear in June’s issue of Tatler, they are gorgeous. Wait…oh dear, I don’t
think I have a favourite! I love all my pieces!
Have you
been asked anything crazy to create, what has been the most exciting piece you
have made or expensive?
My favourite request
was for a bridal commission. The bride was going to wear a beautiful bespoke
dress that just happened to be backless. She had seen some photographs
somewhere of a ‘backlace’ as opposed to a necklace. So, that is what I created
for her. It turned out beautifully and both she and I were so pleased.
Do you offer any special services?
Obviously, I offer a
commission service. I’ve done bridal jewellery and had a commission once to
make a very special necklace for a lady who was celebrating her 50th. I also offer a service called ‘Add-a-Gem.’
This is a new take on the idea of a charm bracelet or add-a-pearl necklace. You
choose the stone each time and I add it to the piece you would like – necklace
or bracelet. I am doing an add-a-gem necklace for my granddaughter. By the time
she is 18, she will have a necklace that features 36 stunning gemstones – one
for each birthday and one for each Christmas since she was born.
Will you
be exhibiting this year, where and when?
I will be at the GALE
Centre in Gairloch for one weekend each month through October, will be taking
part in a market in Ullapool every Thursday over the summer, starting June 12,
and I will be exhibiting at the Dornoch Gallery from May 31 to June 14. I will
also be taking part in Exclusively Highlands events, starting with the Moy
Games the first weekend in August and going through to a final Christmas Market
the first weekend in December. All these dates and details are available on my
website in the Events Calendar.
To see Martha's collection at The Bridal Emporium click here.
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| Ailleas Designs |
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