Come along and say hallo!

I'm really delighted to be taking part in the Open Studios event in the Glasgow studios where I design and make all my jewellery and accessories.

I'll be showing some pieces from my forthcoming ready-to-wear collection, and running a special offer too. Oh, and there's mulled wine and mince pies on the go as well on the Friday night - a perfect way to start the weekend!

Friday 26 November 5.00-8.30pm with mulled wine and mince pies.
Saturday 27 November 2.00-5.30pm.

Room 15

Napiershall Street Centre

39 Napiershall Street

Glasgow G20 6EZ

Gioia Mia featured on 'Planning for a Wedding'

Hallo everyone

I was really excited to discover that I've just been featured on the Planning for a Wedding Blog.

Gioia Mia is described as 'simple but elegant' and 'high quality'.

You can read the blog post here: http://planforawedding.blogspot.com/2010/10/bridal-accessories-gioia-mia.html

Gioia Mia MySpace page updated

Hallo everyone

Just a quick note to let you know that I've updated my MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/gmjewellery

The story behind a bespoke design

Hallo everyone

My business card features one of the many tiaras I have made over the years:

This is the story behind this piece.

Maxine came to me, like many brides, having just bought her dress - an absolutely stunning, floor length, oyster- coloured satin dress:

Photography by Graham Bell

She told me that she was going to be wearing her great grandmother's necklace at her wedding:

Photography by Graham Bell

She knew that she wanted a tiara to wear too. Her only specification was that she wanted a 'low tiara in a modern design'.

So I went away and had a long think about the various elements that went into the design of her heirloom necklace. First and foremost there were the materials: gold, garnets, pearls. Then there was the design: delicate, graceful, curving.

I carefully brought all those elements together, and over eight hours, created a unique piece for her:

And this is Maxine wearing her beautiful, bespoke Gioia Mia tiara on her wedding day:

Photography by Graham Bell

'After the excitement of her wedding and honeymoon, she emailed me to say that 'I didn't want to take off my tiara at the end of the day, and I'm currently trying to come up with another excuse to wear it (other than around the house!). I love the way it complimented my heirloom necklace and earrings, and the colours chosen really worked well together…I felt very elegant in it. Throughout the day I had many compliments about it...beautiful and perfect for the occasion. Big thanks.' Maxine xx

I am really grateful to Graham Bell for his photographs of Maxine and Pete on their wedding day. You can see more of his work on his website: www.grahambell.co.uk