silk poppy

New silk poppy

by | posted in: bridal accessories, buy remembrance poppy, buy silk flowers uk, designer bridal flowers, fabric poppy, how to make a fabric poppy, how to make poppy, poppy headdress, red poppy, Rememberance day poppy, silk poppy, uk bridal degigner, wedding headdress | 0

red velvet veteran poppy

 

Undoubtedly fabric poppies have always been popular. Especially fire engine red ones, which resemble the simple wild poppies grown without any cultivation in a natural setting. As we all know the red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem “In Flanders Fields”. To cater for all tastes I have several Remembrance poppies in my portfolio ranging from satin to velvet ones, with and without foliage, with just 4 petals or a fuller version witha lot of them

 

SHOP ALL POPPIES HERE

Here is one of the most popular designs:

Remembrance Poppy Brooch
You can order this poppy here
But those of us who are into gardening surely know oriental poppies with their large blooms and fluffy leaves.
My newest poppy creation was inspired by these impressive oriental poppies.
 An amazingly full and at the same time light, almost transparent large poppy flower can be turned into an impressive headpiece to complete a wedding or romantic look, a corsage or a hat decoration.
Large silk poppy
I made it using finest silk fabrics that have been painted by hand. The flower can be created in other colours to match your outfit or colour scheme. For more information on the poppy flower please head to my Etsy shop
Silk poppy headdress
What colour poppy do you personally prefer? Will you wear one on Remembrance day?

Velvet orchid headdress from my bridal collection

by | posted in: bridal accessories, bridal headband, bridal headdress, couture silk flowers, designer bridal flowers, fabric orchid, silk orchid, silk wedding flowers, velvet flower, velvet orchid | 0

I mentioned before that I am collecting Japanese silk flower making books. Although in many of them you can find some orchids, be it phalaenopsis or Lady’s slipper orchid, one of those books is devoted solely to orchids, different orchids and nothing else, more than 20 varieties. One of the varieties, miltonia, has inspired me to create a bridal piece for my Blanc de Blancs collection. These striking orchids, which are also known as pansy orchids, are characterised by pointy petals and sepals and an often oversized lip.
Here is the photo or some real miltonias:

Being inspired by their unusual shape I created a bridal headband with velvet miltonias.

White orchid headband

 This designer headdress with 3 orchids made of off-white velvet perfectly completes the look of any discerning bride. Because it has a vintage flair to it the orchid headband is ideal for vintage-themed weddings.

I used some of the finest materials to create this bridal piece of headwear: silk and viscose velvet, silk organza, silk dupioni, silk pongee and freshwater pearls.
This white headband is ready to ship but a similar one in other colours can be made to order to match your outfit or a wedding theme.

There are many more different orchids to try and recreate in fabric or leather and no doubt I will be doing that shortly. My next favourite is Lady’s slipper orchid. Do you have any ideas what kind of accessory this impressive and unusual flower can be turned into?

Fantasy fabric flowers

by | posted in: black orchid, black rose, bridal accessories, bridal fascinator, bridal rose, designer flowers uk, fantasy fabric flowers, fantasy flower, floral accessories, handmade silk flowers, satin rose | 0
Last time I was talking about how realistic silk roses can be. The pictures I shared showed the variety of form and colour one can achieve when making them. In this respect painting silk by hand comes in handy by allowing for the gradation of colour, which mimics flowers in the wild.
But who said that we have to be restricted by any limits and only create realistic flowers? No one.
Depending upon the project I often require a fantasy flower to complete it. For my fantasy flowers I frequently use  precoloured fabrics such as the gorgeous Indian dupioni with its soft sheen, or satin silk, viscose velvet etc. I stiffen the chosen fabrics as I do the white ones (see one of the ways to do it described in my post here) and then use them to create fantasy blooms that can only be limited by the imagination.
Thus,  for making black flowers I believe it is easier and better to simply use black silks rather then dye them by hand as it is almost impossible to achieve a really intense rich black colour. 

Birdcage veil with a black rose

 I use lace, beads, feathers, freshwater pearls and other components to decorate my fantasy flowers and make them look more striking and spectacular.

Black orchid corsage

For this large rose I used soft satin in golden sand colour which makes it a perfect accessory to go with any earthy-toned clothing, such as browns, yellows, oranges, yellowish green and ecru.

Golden satin rose
Unlike the warm golden rose this one is created using silvery coloured silk and is set amidst hand painted double organza leaves in mauve and grey hues. The organza I used is enriched with a silver lame thread.
Bridal rose hairpiece

For wedding floral pieces sometimes it is best to use pure white, cream or ivory silks. By combining fabrics with different textures I add interest and volume to these flowers.

Bridal peony veil on a comb

Natural silks, lace, beads, ivory freshwater pearls… What can be more bridal? 🙂

White rose halo

Should you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to share them in the comments below. I really appreciate your feedback.

Bridal garland headpiece

A bridal halo with double cherry blossom

by | posted in: bridal accessories, bridal garland, bridal halo, bridal silk flowers, bridal tiara, bridal wreath, cherry blossom, diademe, Drayton Old Lodge, hand painted silk, hand painted silk flowers, sakura, Wedding fair | 0

Well, you have probably noticed that recently I have created quite a number of wedding designs. Although, I love to create bridal accessories as much as flowers for other occasions and even for every day, the reason I am concentrating on the wedding theme is because in a month (exactly a month from today!) I am taking part in a large Wedding fair in this new for me area. The Drayton Old Lodge Wedding Fair is held on 17 March at this elegant Edwardian manor house just 10 minutes drive from central Norwich. I have been placed in the Vintage room, which is another reason to concentrate on bridal floral accessories with a vintage feel to them.
Here is the creation of the last week: an open bridal wreath with double cherry blossom in soft pinks and mellow yellows. I used habotai for flowers and pongee for twigs (all 100% pure silk). As always I hand painted all the elements using colours for silk. The size of the wreath can be regulated with a silk ribbon at the back which is useful because you can wear it higher or lower depending on how you like it.

A similar wreath can be made with just white flowers or maybe only pink depending on the colour scheme of a wedding. The bridal wreath can be purchased from my Etsy shop.
I do find this floral garland very romantic i must say. And what is your opinion?