Kirsty & Dan – Goldbrick House Wedding

A local Bristol wedding for Vintage Tea Sets, we supplied the china only for this lovely couple who got married in Bristol Registry Office and then held their afternoon tea wedding breakfast at Goldbrick House.  These beautiful images were captured by Rosie Parsons who was awarded Cosmopolitan Bride Photographer of the Year!

Clarabows Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Rosie Parsons

Clarabows Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Rosie Parsons

Clarabows Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Rosie Parsons

Clarabows Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Rosie Parsons

Clarabows Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Rosie Parsons

Clarabows Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Rosie Parsons

Clarabows Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Rosie Parsons

 

Goldbrick House is also a venue for our hen party fascinator workshops!

1920’s Hen or Birthday Party – fascinator making, charleston lessons & Vintage afternoon tea

Go on immerse your hen or birthday party in the roaring 1920’s with Clara Bows Millinery &  1920’s Charleston Dance with some stunning vintage china thrown in to boot from Vintage Tea Sets.  We’ve teamed up with the fabulous Daffodil in Cheltenham, a true ‘Art Deco’ gem to give you this ultimate 20’s experience.  Spend the day soaking up the beautiful venue and relax knowing you don’t need to traipse here there and everywhere, instead kick back with a cocktail or two, make a beautiful individual creation to wear and learn some 20’s moves like the knock knees, high leg kicks, snake hips and goddamit shimmy!!! before having a high tea or dinner on some stunning vintage china.

Further details will be added to the Clara Bows Millinery website soon but feel free to contact me for more details in the meantime.

Clara Bows write up in the Cosmopolitan Bride Editors Letter

I’m chuffed to pieces with this I really am.  One of my recent fascinator workshops has received a glowing personal review from none other than the Editor of Cosmopolitan Bride (and You and Your Wedding) – she attended the Bake-a-Boo one.  Click on the image to read it in full for yourself….

My millinery business gets a lovely write up in Cosmopolitan Bride by the Editor!

Clara Bows Lackham Countryside Centre Fascinator Course 01st June 2010

Hi all, just a quick post to let you know that I’ll be hosting a fascinator course at the lovely Lackham Countryside Centre on the 01st June this year.  For details on how to book click here.

What can we expect from this experience -Enjoy a creative afternoon in the idyllic surroundings of the Lackham Countryside Centre. Learn how to create your own fascinator, perfect for a day out to the races or a wedding, in relaxed, friendly and enjoyable company.

Discover the thrill of creating a completely unique fascinator from scratch whilst learning some basic millinery techniques along the way.

Be a real “mad hatter” with afternoon tea served on vintage china.

This experience is suitable for beginners, however basic sewing skills are needed, all materials are provided .

Profile of delivery team

Vicky Rowe founded Clara Bows Millinery after a career change and a passion for 1920s and 30’s fashion.

Vicky was trained by a milliner of royal appointment. She has taken a path of discovery based on research from the 1920s and 30s and has now established her own style. Vicky is known for her elegant designs, which are decorated with vintage embellishments – lace, freshwater pearls, and ethically sourced feathers.

Additional benefits of this experience

It’s great for building confidence and is an opportunity to express self creativity. You’ll produce something unique which will be the envy of others.

A delicious afternoon tea, served on vintage china, is included.

Mad Hatter themed fascinator workshop at Bake-a-Boo photographed by Rosie Parsons

Last Sunday Rosie Parsons (photographer extraordinaire) and I embarked on a road trip to the big smoke from our comfy west country burrows, one that would merge her Birthday celebrations with a fascinator workshop I was hosting at the stunning little teashop run by Zoe called Bake-a-Boo (I’d been itching to meet this vixen after a mutual appreciation of vintage china and cake).

Meet the beautiful Zoe, making us a steaming hot vintage teapot of darjeeling on our arrival.

‘The Clara Bows head’ complete with an example fascinator I made the day before for some inspiration was placed on the beautifully laid table that the workshop ladies would be seated, and I set about laying out all the materials before they arrived.

Then the workshop commenced.

We paused for an Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea…..

Before resuming work again and completing these lovely creations.  Here’s a picture of the hen party that took part modelling their pieces.

A lovely time was had by all.  If you’d like to take part in one of these workshops or would like one arranged, see my millinary website Clara Bows for more details or email me (Vicky) at info@clarabows.co.uk

Fascinator Workshops, Afternoon Teas on Harmony II Yacht

Yet more fantastic news folks.  I’ll be running regular fascinator workshops on the ‘Harmony 2‘ a 189ft luxury mega-yacht moored in Bristol Harbour, not only that but will be offering hen & birthday party packages (you get the venue exclusively). Its just down river from the SS Great Britain but bang in the centre of the city, a perfect and very unique base to explore the city after having a fun day of activities.

You can stay overnight in the luxury cabins, take part in the many workshops throughout the day, from fascinators, bouquet making, cup cake topping and finally some nautical boudoir! Enjoy a slap up afternoon tea on gorgeous vintage china, relax in the hot tub before leisurely wandering to the many bars and restaurants on your doorstep.   More details will be published soon, including details on the very talented individuals who will make up the very special workshop crew.

Clara Bows Fascinator Workshop photographed by Rosie Parsons

The gorgeous Rosie Parsons popped up to see me earlier in the week with her camera! after a lovely catch up at Bocca Bar she came with me to a ‘Mad Hatter’ themed fascinator workshop I was hosting at Caffe Clifton and took some snaps to go in my beautiful millinery website Clara Bows that both she and her husband Lee created for me.

It was a really lovely relaxed evening and the ladies that attended made some really beautiful things, two even vowed to wear their creations into work the next day!  I so hope they did.  Anyway, as they say, a picture can tell a thousand words and as usual Rosie has done me so incredibly proud, I cherish these images and can’t wait for our ‘road trip’ in just over a weeks time!

Introducing my 1920’s Millinery Website – Clara Bows

Its official launch isn’t until June this year but here’s a taster, I need to photograph all my hats and fascinators which is easier said that done at the minute (a good chunk are with a magazine which is another story!) so for now there’s some old pics on there .  Excuses excuses! check out my very flapperesque website Clara Bows Millinery (make sure you click on the gramophone!) created by the wonderful Rosie & Lee.  They’ve done an amazing job, thanks guys x

This website will be selling hats I make, giving details on how to order a bespoke hat from me and of course, details on my fascinator workshops (with lots of pictures showing them in progress).  I’ve been selling hats now for well over a year, no promotion at all but still getting at least a couple of orders a month usually people who stumble on me via the web or who stop me in the street.  I’ve been given my own millinery section in the Bristol Fashion Show later in the year.  I’m excited, nervous and honoured all at once about that, I’m busily making my six key pieces……six pieces that I’ve wanted to make for years heavily influenced by the 1920’s, its a creative indulgence and I’ve had to up my skills to create these pieces where the practices needed to make them have almost died out.  And two of these pieces wouldn’t be possible If it wasn’t for a lady with over 50 years in the business making hats for Royalty  passing on her skills as I couldn’t find anyone else up to the job.  All the feedback I’ve had from customers has been incredible but whilst I was growing Vintage Tea Sets I kept this in the background, and lets face it I’m very very busy with the china hire business!  But with the support of my lovely Mum – together we make an amazing team – she blocks the hats for me, makes those lovely vinyl cakes stands that just keep flying off the shelves and helping get big orders together.

Fascinator and Floristry Workshops brought to you by Vintage Tea Sets & Floriture

Further to my recent posts on the fascinator workshops I’m organising…….

I’d like to introduce you to Julie, a lady with oodles of floristy talent and the gorgeous owner of Floriture.  Together we’re collaborating on a number of fascinator and floristry workshops this year (one in Feb I’ll post details on shortly).  Perfect for a crafty gathering, we can put on a afternoon tea for you complete with my gorgeous china from Vintage Tea Sets for a very attractive package price.  Perfect for hen parties, birthday parties or just a meeting of craft loving minds.

Here’s some examples of what the lovely Julie can offer you in her ‘makes’, and remember we can tailor our courses to meet your requirements, just ask.  Imagine a hen party where you can make your headpieces, button holes, corsages…..centrepieces….bouquets (obviously you can’t have it all in one day but you can have a selection)….even Bridal jewellery! why not have a two day course and make a weekend of it?  Its a great idea for a wedding on a budget and you all go away with having learnt something and gained some new skills.  There may be a budding florist in one of you but haven’t discovered yet.  Do you have a theme you want us to incorporate in your workshop?  Possibilities are boundless honestly.  Contact Vicky on 0117 9532973 or email info@vintageteasets.co.uk

Above Pic taken by Rosie Parsons

Fascinator and Jewellery Workshops perfect for hen parties from Vintage Tea Sets

Button Jewellery brought to you by Alex Costa

I announced in a previous post recently that I’m running a number of fascinator workshops in 2010, the response to these has been fantastic and bookings for Easter and the Summer are coming in thick and fast. I also wanted to let you know that I’m collaborating with a number of individuals on these courses, so if you fancied making a day of it I can offer a fascinator and jewellery package!  There’s even floristry package (learn how to hand tie bouquets or make some really personal button holes), hell there’s even a chocolatiers course as well!!! we’re able to hit the road and even offer cream teas on my gorgeous vintage china, whether you want to drink tea or champers out of the tea cups its entirely up to you! It’ll be a day to remember and best of all you get to keep what you make which is up to two fascinators from me and then for example a necklace and earring set. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be introducing you to my workshop buddies.  We can come to you or arrange a workshop space near you alternatively email us for a list of our Bristol and South West venues.

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First up, I’d like you to meet Alex Costa, a gal with some very classy makes, her forte is jewellery but she is a talented vixen with many more makes I’ll be blogging about in due course.  That’s one of her gorgeous button jewellery makes shown at the top of this post.  She’s been selling in boutique shops for over a year now and is based in central London.

Email me for more details on info@vintageteasets.co.uk or phone 0117 9532973