Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from Livingston in Scotland. My husband, Jeremy and I moved to the US in April 2001, we lived in Memphis, Tennessee for about 2 1/2 years, moving to Chicago in October 2003. I work in my home studio, and at Ayla's Originals in Evanston, teaching beadwork classes.
What special things do you create for weddings?
I make jewelery, mainly wire wrapped and beadwoven pieces, using glass beads, crystals gemstones and sterling silver. I also hand dye silk and velvet scarves, adding beaded fringes, though I do not have them in my shop at present.
Who or what sparked your interest in making wedding-related items?
When my husband and I were planning our wedding I made my own invites and I enjoyed that process. The jewellery making came along later, the first few pieces I sold were made for weddings, and I loved the time I spent planning those designs with those customers.
What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
I try wherever possible to find Fair Trade sources for my materials, especially the silver beads and spacers. They cost a little more, but I feel happier.
If you are married, what’s the one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn’t? Not things, two people. I would have loved to have had my Grandma and Papa there, but Papa wasn't well enough to come. Jeremy and I had a day between our wedding and our honeymoon, so we spent the day with them, and my parents, they watched the video, we brought my dress with us, and we had pieces of the wedding cake at tea time.
What is your favorite wedding song?
I can't remember much about the music at our wedding. My cousin Carolyn recently got married, and a couple of her friends played a Crowded House song - Weather With You on their acoustic guitars, I thought that was really lovely.
What is your favorite part of the wedding journey?
What we loved is that many family members and family friends were involved with different aspects of the wedding - my Mum made our cake, I made the invites and orders of service and family friends Marie, Alistair, and Katie made the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses, photographs and video. Just spending time with everyone, is what I remember most.
What advice can you share for all the brides getting married this year?
There will always be one or two things that don't go as planned, the wedding car was late arriving, and the band had double booked themselves, fortunately the venue had a set of turntables, Angus - friend of my Mum's stepped in, and dj'd for us! You can either let those problems drive you crazy, or you can just enjoy the good parts talking with everyone and dancing your socks off!
What is your perfect honeymoon spot?
Jeremy and I went to Amsterdam. The Van Gogh museum had recently opened when we were there, and we stayed in a beautiful B&B near the Rijksmuseum.
If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
I would love to see Emma Thompson, or Kristin Scott Thomas wearing my work, both are probably married already, though. Both are beautiful, intelligent women with a dry sense of humour, a little naughtiness, and an elegant, yet bohemian look.
If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
I'm not sure about any single item, as brides styles and dresses vary a lot. I like to make pieces that could be worn after the big day, and I love to work with brides to make something special to go with their outfit. If I had to choose one item my shop, it would probably be my Moondance bracelet, a similar style could be made using different stones, or crystal colours, it is lightweight with a soft drape.
Links where we can find out more about your work:
At present I don't have my own website. I am working on one that I hope to launch in the Autumn.
Ten Storey Love Song's Etsy Shop
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