Your South Wales Wedding - January/February 2024 (Issue 95)

67 HANDMADE IN SOUTH WALES CARRIE ELSPETH JEWELLERY sales@carrieelspeth.com www.carrieelspeth.co.uk Carrie Elspeth Jewellery prides itself on its award-winning handmade jewellery and has just won the Creative Business Award at the Vale of Glamorgan Business Awards 2023. In 1999, Carrie Elspeth began creating beautifully handmade jewellery in South Wales. Carrie Elspeth now operates from a studio warehouse on the outskirts of Cowbridge in Llandow, and all of the collections are handmade locally by homeworkers. Carrie presents a variety of collections tailored for brides, offering the ideal choices for the lead-up to their magical day. The Shell Heart Collections have a lovely opalescent quality, which adds depth and a touch of lustre. The company also offers gemstone bracelets. There are 21 different gemstones to choose from, available with either a star or heart charm. The Cariad Collection is made from haematite hearts in three metallic colours, making this collection a real eye-catcher. The Sentiments Bracelet is made from silver-plated spheres and is completed with a charm. The Mantra-inspired collection is jewellery designed to not only look good but to inspire, promote and elevate the wellness and ‘balance’ of the wearer. MALGORZATA SZPILA malgorzata.szpila@icloud.com | www.malgorzataszpila.com Malgorzata Szpila is a jeweller based in Swansea. Malgorzata tells us: “I was brought up with the tradition of lacemaking in my hometown, Bobowa, one of the oldest lace centres in Poland, where lace traditions are still cultivated today. I now spend endless hours in my small home studio, designing and creating lace pieces. “I chose the development of bobbin lace in Poland and Europe as my bachelor’s and master’s thesis titles, which helped me understand the differences between various techniques and styles. I was fascinated by the wealth of bobbins, pillows and stand types and how they relate to lace techniques from different parts of the world. As a practitioner of lacemaking since 2000, with influences and tutors from all over Europe, I have picked up a vast range of techniques and styles. I have found my place in this technique, mainly making jewellery pieces such as necklaces, headpieces and earrings. I use metallic threads and many crystal beads in my projects because I think of lace in the context of femininity and beauty. “I want my jewellery to combine art and nature-inspired lace motifs. My dream is for lacemaking to become the most remarkable art or craft in the minds of people, as it was and always will be in mine. I strive to set an example as a lace-maker who sees lace in terms of art at the level of the world’s finest designers.”

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