In the studio

Hallo everyone

I thought I would post a picture of the lovely studio where I work, so you can see where I design and make all my pieces and also where I meet my customers - if they are within travelling distance.

I'm really lucky to work from a fantastic studio space right in the centre of Glasgow, in a community of artists (including designers, painters, photographers, writers and architects).

We're up high, so it's always bright. To the right is a lovely big window. I have my workbench right underneath, and this is where I do all my research, and all my designing and making:

On my wall are framed photographs of brides who have commissioned pieces from me on their wedding day, and a large frame showing just a few of the many pieces I have made over the years.

On the left hand wall are a couple of framed photographs from a photoshoot I worked on with Alan Hutchison.

Underneath are a small selection of thank you cards and some of the books on historical costume that I draw inspiration from:

Feel free to drop me a line if you'd like to make an appointment to come and have a chat, drink some tea and maybe even try on a few sparkly headbands, tiaras, necklaces or earrings!

Links

Gioia Mia

Ironbbratz Studios

Alan Hutchison

Gioia Mia featured in 'The Scottish Wedding Directory'

Hallo everyone

I'm really delighted to have had my more of my work featured in the current edition of The Scottish Wedding Directory!

The team at the Directory put together a fabulous edition, with some great images. This is one of my all-time favourites:

Bride wears Semplice headband in white Swarovski pearls (£30).

Bridesmaid wears sterling silver, Swarovski pearl and crystal earrings (£45), and co-ordinating pendant (£40):

Another image from this edition that I really like:

The editors chose to feature the ever popular Duo pendant, in sterling silver, Swarovski pearl and crystal (£20):

The delicate Trio pendant, adding the finishing touch to an ornate bodice, in sterling silver, Swarovski pearl and crystal (£40):

And to finish, a lovely sun-filled image showing the Rococo necklace (£45) and earrings (£40) in sterling silver, Swarovski pearl and crystal:

As with almost all my work, these pieces can be made in a whole range of different colours so as to co-ordinate with a particular dress or with a specific colour scheme. Feel free to drop me a line and have a chat!

And if you're in or near Glasgow and would like to see these in person, you're most welcome to come and visit me in my studio.

The photoshoot: 'Bridesmaids Revisited'. Supplier spotlight

Hallo everyone

I'm delighted to introduce Wendy to you all. Wendy is the talented and accomplished designer-maker behind the Flossy and Dossy label. She made all the gorgeous dresses for Kristin's recent 'Bridesmaids Revisited' photoshoot.

I loved Wendy's work so much (and thought Wendy herself was pretty fab!) that I wanted to give her a chance to write about her work and her influences on my blog.

'When Kristen and Sonia approached me to take part in a bridal-themed photo shoot I was really excited, as it gave me the opportunity to devise a collection of my own designs that would appeal to the modern bride – the woman looking for something distinctive – but retain the strong vintage styling that influences much of my work.

Ever since I was little I've adored old movies, and I've always been fascinated by the how almost every actress carries herself with such poise and sophistication. For this shoot, most of the frocks featured were influenced by Grace Kelly, a remarkably graceful and stylish screen presence; I can picture her descending a staircase wearing the classic white wedding dress...

...or perhaps wearing the champagne lace and taffeta dress, walking arm-in-arm with Cary Grant.

I also wanted to incorporate extra design features to make the dresses stand out. To achieve this I added handmade fabric flowers to necklines...

...or vintage style ribbon belts.

All the dresses have been made with a taffeta base, a wonderful, light fabric that's also very comfortable to wear and is not as heavy as traditional bridesmaid fabrics, ensuring that the wearer – whether bride or bridesmaid – looks and feels light on her feet.'

You can see more of Wendy's work on her website: www.flossyanddossy.co.uk

She also has an Etsy shop packed full of vintage inspired goodies: www.etsy.com/shop/flossyanddossy

Photoshoot credits

Dresses

Flossy and Dossy

www.flossyanddossy.co.uk

Jewellery and Accessories

Gioia Mia

www.gioiamia.net

Make up and Hair

Kathryn Hughes

Models

Sophie Robertson

and Esther Kungu

www.estherkungu.com

Photography

Kristin Mitchell

www.kristinmitchell.co.uk

Location

The Hub, Edinburgh

www.thehub-edinburgh.com

Buy Gioia Mia online! 'Semplice' necklace and earrings

Hallo everyone

I'm really excited to let you know that you can buy Gioia Mia online!

The very elegant 'Semplice' necklace and earrings are featured in the latest edition of The Scottish Wedding Directory:

Made from sterling silver and Swarovski pearls or crystals.

Delicate 16" snake chain for the drop (other lengths also available).

'Semplice' are available in a whole range of Swarovski pearl and crystal colours.

Both necklace and earrings come gift wrapped - perfect for a bride or for her bridesmaids!

If you're near Glasgow and would like to see these in person

or match up colours, you're most welcome to.

Drop me a line and I'll make a studio appointment for you.

UK orders are sent Royal Mail Special Delivery, for a charge of £5.

For international orders, please contact me for details.

Buy Gioia Mia 'Semplice' earrings

£15

Buy Gioia Mia 'Semplice' necklace

£20

Buy Gioia Mia 'Semplice' necklace and earrings together

£30 (saving £5)

Gioia Mia featured on 'West End Girl'

Hallo everyone

I've had the loveliest write up ever, from the very stylish West End Girl!

Gioia Mia is 'just what the doctor ordered - local, talented, down-to-earth and unusual [...] Giving customers the "personal touch" is certainly what sets this company apart and even the website has a warm, almost journal-like approach with real-life customer testimonials and photographs of the brides wearing the pieces as opposed to a hard, corporate sell.'

You can read the blog post here.

You can also follow West End Girl on twitter.

Gioia Mia featured on Sprae

Hallo everyone

I'm really delighted to have been featured on the lovely blog that is run by Sprae PR. You can read the feature here.

Gioia Mia featured in 'Knots and Kisses'

Talented stationer Nikki, of Knots and Kisses Wedding Stationery, has featured Gioia Mia on her latest blog!

Knots and Kisses offers gorgeous bespoke and off the peg boutique style wedding stationery for the stylish bride who wants something that stands out from the crowd. We provide a full service specifically tailored to your wedding needs. From invitations to beautifully hand painted table plans, menu cards to order of sevice...we provide the whole package for the best day of your life.

Nikki has just launched a gorgeous range of stationery called 'English Eccentrics'. The range draws its inspiration from the Victorian era, circus flyers, tweeds and satins:

You can read the more about the 'English Eccentrics' range here

And you can see what Gioia Mia pieces Nikki featured here

The Knots and Kisses website is here

Open Studios 2010

Hallo everyone

I was really delighted to take part in the Open Studios 2010 in the studios where I design and make all my pieces.

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

The Open Studios was held on a cold and dark night at the end of November. Visitors were welcomed with a friendly smile, a glass of warming mulled wine...

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

...and a delicious mince pie

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

There was plenty of time to browse...

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

...and plenty of time to chat with the artists

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

I was previewing some of my new ready-to-wear collection, which will be available to buy online and through (a few very select) stockists. My display also showed some of the beautiful brides I have made jewellery and accessories for:

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

And some of the photoshoots my pieces have been used in

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

I really enjoyed showing the many visitors we had my own studio space, talking about the pieces I have made and the way I work

Photography by Sarmed Mirza

Many of the visitors said that they had enjoyed the informality of the evening, the chance to meet and talk to the artists, the range and variety of work on offer, and the chance to see inside a working studio.

I am indebted to Sarmed Mirza for his beautiful images. He is a Glasgow-based photographer and film maker.

You can see more of Sarmed's photographic work here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarmed/sets/

And read about his film work here: www.steppingstonefilmsltd.com/

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