Gorgeous Hair accessories from Maneggi

Some of you will know that I love Maneggi (not as much as my mum, though who loves the ribbon, no-metal jewellery that enables her to have beautiful accessories without causing a reaction with her skin). I love Nikki's brooches, especially her Bow one and fancied one to pop in my hair. I asked Nikki if she could do this and also a Ruffle hair clip based on her ruffle corsage.

Ruffle Ribbon Hair Clip

Ribbon Bow Hair Clip

Aren't they lovely? I'm particularly fond of my Bow clip which is perfect for clipping my hair back in style.

To view more lovely ribbon creations by Nikki, pop along to the Maneggi Shop on Etsy.

{ Bespoke Design } Purple and Green sparkly bracelet

Bespoke Commission - amethyst and peridot bespoke design bracelet

Amongst the Mother's Day orders for Mummy Necklaces (the Eternity Birthstone necklace was the clear favourite this year), I was asked to create something special by Ces, who I've worked with previously to create pieces for The Light Direction, as well as a custom Eternity Mummy necklace for herself.

Ces wanted a bracelet to give to her mum on Mother's Day incorporating her mum's favourite colours of purple and amethyst. Unusal for me this design doesn't feature any pearls *gasp*, but Ces's mum isn't a fan *big gasp*.

Crystal bracelet by Poppy Sparkles

Ces was drawn to the Elegance bracelet design and so we decided to use that, replacing the clear crystals and freshwater pearls with amethyst and peridot Swarovski crystal.

One of the reasons I love handmade so much is the ability to have a design customised and personalised so it's perfect for you or the intended recipient. I love being able to work with clients to create that perfect piece of jewellery.

If you'd like to commission a bespoke jewellery design or customise an exsiting design drop me a line viv @ poppysparkles DOT co DOT uk or use the 'contact' page on the Poppy Sparkles Website.

A Rainbow of Colour - new friendship bracelet cotton colours

Friendship bracelets by Poppy Sparkles

 Friendship bracelets are definately popular for 2012, especially for gifts. With their growing popularlity I decided it was time to add some new colours. I'm indecisive at best and the end result was not one or two new colours, but FIVE! So, now I offer to you a rainbow of choice with ten fresh and vibrant colours to choose from.

 White, Red, Pink, Orange, Lime, Turquoise, Navy, Purple, Brown and Black cotton cord friendship bracelets - there's a colour to match every outfit!

These are a great Spring and Summer fashion accessory and look fab stacked up. For a more personalised friendship bracelet I also offer these with Swarovski birthstone crystals. Custom colour requests are also welcome.

Over time the cotton cord will fade and wear. To ensure that you can still enjoy your Poppy Sparkles jewellery, the freshwater pearl charm is created with sterling silver on a ring large enough to slide on most pandora style bracelets or on a chain to create your own simple pearl pendant.

Friendship bracelets are priced from £10 each and are available from the Poppy Sparkles Handmade jewellery website.

I'd love to know which is your favourite colour or colours if you're as indecisive as me!

Corporate Gift Ideas - Friendship Bracelets

Corporate Gifts - Friendship Bracelets by Poppy Sparkles

I've been somewhat low key online of late due to laptop woes and then it spending a week at the laptop clinic. As yet I haven't managed to decide if the quirky keyboard is sorted as I now have the issue of it not holding internet connection for very long. I have, however, managed to begin to edit the backlog of images.

Whilst I was limited in my laptop use I was kept busy with a rather large order for Friendship bracelets. If you ever wondered what fifty friendship bracelets look like, then the images above will help. Although I did enjoy making up this order, there was something very satisfying about tying that last bracelet!

Those pretty pink friendship bracelets were ordered by Nadia of More to Life than Shoes - a business network for women in business. The friendship bracelets are to be given to members in recognition of achievement. I have to say that I hadn't considered the possibility of coporate gifts before and am so thankful that Nadia has made me consider this as something I can provide and promote.

My friendship bracelets are an ideal little gift for saying thank you, well done or to ensure your clients remember you. They lend themselves well to being adapted to match your own corporate colours. Handmade corporate gifts are also going to help you stand out from your competition and ensures you have a more unique gift with which to make your clients smile.

I shall be including information about corporate gifts from Poppy Sparkles on my new website, but until then, should you wish to discuss ideas for your own corporate gifts please drop me an email  ( viv @ poppysparkles DOT co DOT uk )or contact me via the Poppy Sparkles website.

Fanny and Claude - Fabulous Concoctions based on Vintage beauty

I love supporting handmade businesses, especially those that are more local to me. So when I was offered the chance to sample and review some of the wonderful goodies from a fellow Lancashire based business, Fanny and Claude, I was especially delighted.

Inspired by vintage beauty regimes with natural ingredients and an absence of the cocktail of chemicals in more modern products, their range includes handmade soap, moisturising creams, lipbalms and bath melts.

I was sent three different prodcuts to try which pampered me head to toe.

Vitamin E Face Balm from Fanny and Claude's

Vitamin E Face Balm

In the last year I've developed dermatisis on my scalp and forehead. Thankfully for the most part I can keep it at bay, but now and then it flares up leaving me with an itchy scalp and a dry, tight and uncomfortable forehead. I found this great for giving affected areas a much needed boost of moisture and soothing my skin. It's a little too much for my facial skin most of the time (I manage to have both oily skin with spots and very dry skin all at once), but worked a treat when I need to relieve dry and tight skin. As well as using on dry patches of my face, I also like using this as a cuticule and nail cream, to moisturise the really dry patches on my hands and a lip balm. In fact, I can see this little wonder pot being a real multi-tasker - a bit like the cult beauty classic, Eight hour cream by Elizaberth Arden - a definate must to pop in your handbag.

Handmade Foot Scrub by Fanny and Claude

Rosemary Foot scrub with ground pumice

With sandals weather not far away I'm already looking at my feet in horror and wondering how I can get them in a fit state to have them out in public! I really liked this - a cross between a pumice stone and a foot scrub. The fine grains of pumice helped slough away rough skin, but unlike a pumice stone this was gentler thanks to it being in foot scrub form. I've used it a few times and, despite being left around the sink where by rights it should end up a soggy mess, it hasn't. This is a long-lasting tough cookie that'll help you with your at-home pampering and pedicures.

Handmade Handcream by Fanny and Claude

Oriental Tea Garden Rich Handcream

Since my first pregnancy I've suffered from dry hands - not helped by the increased handwashing babies and young children bring with nappy changes and toileting! To keep my hands nourished I'm having to apply handcream regularly throughout the day. I loved the smell of the Oriental Tea Garden handcream and found it was easily absorbed. As it's name implies, this is a rich handcream and I found I only needed a little for each application. Despite being well used, there is still plenty of handcream left to keep my hands happy.

If you'd like to try Fanny and Claude's Fabulous Concotions for yourself, pop along to their website -to view all their handmade creams and bathroom goodies.

www.fannyandclaude.co.uk