Nicola hails from a little town in south Birmingham, UK, where she creates amazing and detailed hair accessories for brides all over the world.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m 34 (and I can’t believe it), with long blonde hair (which I’m desperate to have cut short but too chicken), with an overactive imagination! Most importantly I’m a mommy to my 5 year old daughter, Poppy which takes up a lot of my time, but since she started school full time in January I decided to release some of my pent up creativity and sell more of my products on a more professional basis. I run my business making tiaras, fascinators, hair accessories and jewelry through Etsy and my own website (www.tiarasandfascinators.com) and am constantly making thing from wire, beads, crystals, felt and ribbon.
I get such a kick from making something from scratch and seeing it at the end made into something beautiful, and when someone buys something to wear for something as important as their wedding day it makes me feel really excited that I am able to help them and they trust me to make a professional job to make them feel really special.
Oh, and I’m a work from home nail technician too which was my full time job until I had my daughter and I do that to fit around everything else now!
What special things do you create for weddings?
I create bespoke tiaras, fascinators and hair accessories where the bride, bridesmaids, mother of the bride and any female guests can choose their design from my range and co ordinate colors of fabric and jewels to match their outfit so they have a unique headpiece to wear on their special day.
Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
I have had a passion for wedding related items since my own wedding in 2001 and love the romance and meticulous preparation that goes into a wedding. I understand how important it is to have things perfect and as a perfectionist myself, I make sure that I create and supply high quality products that will compliment my client’s outfits for their occasion.
What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
I sew with pliers. I sounds ridiculous when you look at the femininity of the products that I create, but there’s no easier way to get your needle into tiny spaces and save on fingers (and blood) than using a pair of pliers to hoik up that thread or wire from a tight spot!
If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t?
I wish I’d have made my own tiara and jewelry but at the time I didn’t have the skills. My sister got married on 18th October this year so I was able to create her a bespoke tiara. We both worked on the design together and incorporated her butterfly theme into the crystals and I’ve just seen her wedding photos and it looks amazing, (if I do say so myself!), and I was so proud to have created something so important for her on her special day.
What is your favorite wedding song?
Harry Connick Jr, It Had To Be You. So romantic, easy to dance to, but not too slushy.
What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
I strongly believe that the wedding is different from the marriage, so I’d have to say the theme for the wedding is one of my favorite parts. I love it when a bride has a theme for her day and wants to tie in everything tastefully with this. For example, my sister’s theme was butterflies. She had us wear tiny crystal butterflies in our hair as bridesmaids, I created her tiara with matching butterfly crystals, the table names were after butterflies, and the table plan, and the stationery had little butterflies on them. It was enough to be subtle but noticeable yet not over the top, and created a really nice flow between everything. I love it when everything ties in and you get to the day and think… “yes, this works” and people comment on their surroundings and acknowledge your hard work.
What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
Be unique but be yourself. Do what makes you happy, and not what you think will make other people happy. This is your day, so make the most of it because it’s over in a flash.
What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
I went to Thailand, which was unbelievable. The culture is so different there and there is so much to see and do, but for a full on chill out after all the anxiety and adrenaline rush, it has to be the Maldives for a total get away from it all experience.
If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
Jennifer Aniston. I love her femininity and subtle style, and on a totally selfish level, let’s face it, the press would have a field day if she got married again and my headpiece would be front page on magazines all over the world. You couldn’t pray for better advertising! 
If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
My Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Double Band Tiara. It’s really popular, yet so simple, feminine and stylish. Perfect for any bride and any dress, dressed up or down, and totally customizable to fit in with the bride’s color scheme.
Links where we can find out more about your work:
www.pinktigersden.blogspot.com
